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Ph.D. Alumni
Posts: 694
  
Location: New Smyrna Beach, Florida |
Today's Ask Teal Episode is About: Why Bad things Happen to Good People.
You have been taught that your thoughts come in response to what you are observing. This is the first grand illusion that we have collectively stepped into and accepte
d as a species. The real truth is that what you are observing has come in response to your thoughts. It comes by virtue of what you have been paying attention to.
You have more power than you could possibly imagine. More than you probably want at times. Nothing ever happens out of the blue. We think it does because most of us do not have a good handle on what we are thinking. We don't recognize negative thoughts until after they manifest and even then, some of us do not make the connection. And when you focus on what does not feel good to focus on, when you focusing on the problem when you focus on what you do not want, no matter how good of a person you are, you are inviting and creating the essence and then manifestation of those very things.
The universe (that which you know as source or God) is not vindictive, and free will is an absolute but what free will do you have? The free will of thought the free will of focus and what you give your attention to and that is what creates the reality you live in. The energy making up the waves and particles of your physical reality re arrange themselves to match your dominant thoughts.
Children are creators as well even before they exit the womb. They are attracting their entire experience. Including the experience of their own birth. And so when we see a child, who is experiencing something painful or who comes into an abusive environment, we cannot accept the idea that they had anything to do with the experience. We see that as the greatest form of victimhood. But this is from a poor understanding that we come to this judgment. We miss the fact that they too are eternal creators who also attract manifestations into their reality by virtue of their attention. No one and nothing is exempt from the cycle of creation. Help will come if you ask for it and believe that it will come, but no one can think for you. No one can interject him or herself into your experience and create for you nor would they if they really cared about you and your highest good. To rescue someone from their own lives and their own thoughts is not to serve their highest good. It is to reinforce that they can't do it. It is to disempower them.
The choice to turn your attention towards something that causes you to feel good (and this will manifest as something that pleases you) is a moment-by-moment choice. No matter how negative your focus has been, you can change it right here and now. By putting your attention on anything that feels good to pay attention to.
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UMS Guest
Posts: 1938
Location: United Kingdom | Dear Leo – what an interesting theme! Thank you for sharing it with us here. Well, why do bad things happen to good people? In my view, the only reason for this is the Universal law of Karma, also known as the law of cause of effect, to which all life is subject. So that nothing in the whole of Creation, in the vastness of space and time can ever be truly lost, this law decrees that everything in due course has to return to its Source. We are personally responsible for every one of our thoughts, words and deeds. Whatever we put out into the world in thought, word and/or deed does return to us with the unerring certainty of a boomerang. If this does not happen in this lifetime, it will do in another. Every human soul, without exception, can only learn from their own experiences to differentiate between good and evil, darkness and light.
As a result of this, if someone in their present lifetime walks the pathway of a very good person, the likelihood is that in a previous one they drew their learning from being an extremely bad person. To ensure an all-round education and to create balance in the great scheme of life, this is usually followed by a lifetime of playing the role of its polar opposite. The crop of the seeds we once sowed as one of the nasties of our world inevitably has to be reaped in our lifetimes as a goodie. Hence, bad things happening to good people. If as a good person we act in the right way by forgiving our trespassers as well as ourselves for creating the necessity for this lesson in the first place, opportunities are created for balancing our spiritual accounts, making good where we once sinned and redeeming ourselves.
The way I understand our present existence is that this life, all life and all worlds, and everything in them – including humankind – is a gift from God and therefore, sacred and holy. For the life of me, I cannot share the belief that a great many still seem to hold onto, that this life is a one-off thing. If that were true, our earthly existence would be an extremely unfair and unjust one, when in reality it is anything but that. When one takes a closer look at our world and its people, one surely can only come to the conclusion that such a narrow view cannot be right. First, because it does not make any sense, and second, because that would not do justice to the preciousness and holiness of all life. The greatest draw-back to the belief of the one-off system is that it fails to explain the purpose and meaning of so much suffering in our world. How could the all-loving and all-knowing Wisdom of the Universal Intelligence of its Creator throw the kind of fate upon any of Its creatures and creations, which we and our world have had to endure, as far back as some kind of records exist?
It is up to each individual soul to decide what we can and wish to believe. But how does one tell a truth from a lie? It is really quite simple: if something makes sense and there is a resonance from the innermost core of our being, then our inner Highest Self is giving us the message that what we are hearing is true and that this is our truth. It is also left to each one of us to come to terms with and make peace with our existence within the Universe. In my view, everything in our world is always at the highest point of its individual and collective evolution. Each one of us is the sum total of all the experiences we ever gathered in the course of innumerable lifetimes. Yet, the only way any soul can understand this life is from the level of development it has reached, at any given time.
From ‘The World Is A Bridge’
How about sharing some of your own reflections and insights into this theme with us here?
With love and light,
Aquarius
Edited by Aquarius 12/5/2012 6:19 AM
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UMS Guest
Posts: 1938
Location: United Kingdom | ... The universe (that which you know as source or God) is not vindictive, and free will is an absolute but what free will do you have? The free will of thought the free will of focus and what you give your attention to and that is what creates the reality you live in. The energy making up the waves and particles of your physical reality re arrange themselves to match your dominant thoughts... I believe that humankind’s much cherished freedom is comparable to a dog going for a walk on a lead. We are the dog and our Karma is the lead which our Highest or God Self holds in its loving yet stern, undeviating and unrelenting hands. It alone knows our true needs and whatever is the right thing for us in any given moment. It constantly guides us into our next adventures on the Earth plane. For each one of us it is the only one who knows which lessons still have to be integrated and which experiences gone through, until we all eventually find our way home into our true nature.
If during our meditations and healing journeys, an inner urge of an evil nature surfaces into our conscious awareness, we are free to decide whether we follow it and act this desire out in our environment. The more highly evolved we become, the more likely it is that we wish to merely acknowledge and accept that it belongs to a part of our lower animal nature, which by now has outlived its usefulness. Realising this, wise ones reach for the hand of their Highest Self and request its help to change and transmute the no longer wanted energies into something that serves the highest good and the greatest joy of all life.
From ‘Don’t Quit!’
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PhD Alumni
Posts: 1882
Location: NE Ohio | Well, it's impossible to have all good, and no bad. We all must experience and grow from negative events, to love the positive one's even more. It teaches us to be better people. It teaches us that being in the middle, means at least not over doing either side and hopefully the negative will be counter balanced and not be quite so bad. We cannot have all cold and no hot... the middle is warm. We cannot have all hate and no love... the middle is perfect, for we allow for each to still have their own personality with perhaps some flaws, but much love as well. Being accepted for both is our higher self, God, etc.
Balance my friend~ it's what keeps me going!!!
HUGS
NICE words A~ |
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PhD Alumni
Posts: 4414
Location: United Kingdom | This was the title of a book, written some years ago by a very wise Jewish scholar.
The sum of his discussion is something along the lines that, we cannot read the will of the Divine, especially if we view it from our perspective. And sometimes things happen just because they have to [bit like Jill says].
(Unfortunately, as I write, the book is in my loft, three floors (or as you in the New World say, 'stories' ) up ... and I am too worn out from the day's labours to get it, but will if anyone reads this and would find it helpful for me so to do).
For me, the problem with the quote that starts off this thread is still that it kind of conjures up the idea that in some way we attract into our lives, or conjure up, the someetimes terrible and inexplicable misfortunes that can happen to us 'out of the blue'. I can think of lots of examples, including some recent ones. Especially one over here that involves and combines an Australian radio station hoax call, a young pregnant woman hospitalised with baby at risk, and a suicide. Or famine in Africa, or the Holocaust, or ....
If we go down the road of saying something like, 'well it is what we have attracted into our lives ...', etc, can we then say the obverse: that is, billionaires are extremely wealthy becauase thay have 'attracted' monetary wealth into their lives?
ps, the Universe is certainly not vindictive. But people can be.
All the Way to Heaven is Heaven (St Theresa of Avila)
pps, oh well gave in to Google ... this is the book of which I thought:
http://www.gurus.org/dougdeb/Courses/bestsellers/Kushner/BTmain.htm
summing up:
The response would be Job's response in MacLeish's version of the biblical story—to forgive the world for not being perfect, to forgive God for not making a better world, to reach out to the people around us, and to go on living despite it all." [page 147]
Edited by Paul Joseph 12/12/2012 3:54 PM
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Ph.D. Alumni
Posts: 694
Location: New Smyrna Beach, Florida | The Law of Cause and Effect
The sixth of the seven Universal Laws tells us that "Every cause has its effect; every effect has its cause." In accordance with this Law, every effect you see in your outside or physical world has a very specific cause which has its origin in your inner or mental world. This is the essence of thought power. Every one of your thoughts, words or actions sets a specific effect in motion which will come to materialize over time. To become the master of your destiny, you must master your mind for everything in your reality is a mental creation. Know that there is nothing like chance or luck. They are simply terms used by humanity in ignorance of this Law.
We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves. Buddha
Edited by leo 12/25/2012 5:09 PM
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UMS Guest
Posts: 1938
Location: United Kingdom | Dear Leo - thank you for sharing this with us here. I have never seen the law of Karma described in a better way. Is it one of your own or are you quoting someone else's words?' With love - Aquarius
Edited by Aquarius 12/29/2012 6:50 AM
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PhD Alumni
Posts: 4414
Location: United Kingdom | Hi, Season's Greetings all ...
Sorry, I just cannot get with that idea:
"We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think"; at least I can partly insofar as we are concerned only with the effects and consequences of our own selves. But it does not, for me anyway, explain the 'bad things happen' part of the thread question.
I will not offend sensibilities by citing the many horrors that occur around the world daily. Some chance occurrences we might indeed magnetize into our lives. But many we do not. It seems to be to be an offense to those who suffer to suggest that somehow it is the responsibility of their [faulty] thinking. Bad things - and good - just happen. We may have some effect in some measure to some extent, and serendipity plays her part. To continue to inhabit this planet and this body, these bodies, we just have to endure whatever game serendipity plays with us - and perhaps try or learn to enjoy it as best we can.
Edited by Paul Joseph 12/26/2012 4:40 PM
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Alumni
Posts: 534
| I get what you're saying, Paul... I wonder if, it's just meant on a more personal level- we are what we think, we are shaped by our thoughts for our own experience? Meaning, the experience we have a part in and can influence with our own perceptions of making our life better?
It's not to say that innocent people attract the atrocities bestowed upon them from some psychologically disturbed person with a gun? Is it? If that's what's meant, I can't go with that, either.
On a personal basis, I get it. On a global basis, I do not. |
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PhD Alumni
Posts: 4414
Location: United Kingdom | Hi Disa
Thanks; wonderful to hear from you as ever. I am with you all the way on your reply ...
Love and Seasonal Vibes
Paul
ps, the Book of Job in the O.T. was much about this topic too, wasn't it?
Edited by Paul Joseph 12/27/2012 6:52 AM
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PhD Alumni
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Location: United Kingdom | An afterthought or two ... I think you put it very well Disa, as if our actions are ripples of a stone dropped in a pond - or a stream maybe, as a stream flows, and our own ripples are hard to distinguish from the flow of the stream, as well as the tide that, even if the stream does not lead to the sea, the sea as our all encompassing habitat, makes its vibrations known.
We can only do what we can with our life that is the little stone we are granted. For me, Karma is as much about learning from experience, experience that then returns to us as external ripples for us to reflect on and absorb, or not. Not doing to others what we would not want them to do to us whilst treating them as we might wish to be treated (the Golden Rule and its variations...)
What might or might not return to us is what we might or might not have evoked, consciously or unconsciously. But we cannot know the mind of God (that is one of the Job lessons, I think, or Jung did); we can only reflect - yet through the glass darkly (St Paul); read the signs, the portends, and ultimately, follow our Heart (as in, the Wisdom of the Heart Church!! There - ending on a plug for UMS, owzat?!!) 
Edited by Paul Joseph 12/27/2012 8:31 AM
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Forum Administrator
Posts: 462
| "Why bad things happen to good people"
The statement, and/or implicit question seems predicated on an intentional universe |
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UMS Guest
Posts: 1938
Location: United Kingdom | Supernatural3 - 12/11/2012 8:16 PM Well, it's impossible to have all good, and no bad. We all must experience and grow from negative events, to love the positive one's even more. It teaches us to be better people. It teaches us that being in the middle, means at least not over doing either side and hopefully the negative will be counter balanced and not be quite so bad. We cannot have all cold and no hot... the middle is warm. We cannot have all hate and no love... the middle is perfect, for we allow for each to still have their own personality with perhaps some flaws, but much love as well. Being accepted for both is our higher self, God, etc. Balance my friend~ it's what keeps me going!!! HUGS NICE words A~ How right you are, dear Jill. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and your very own insights with us. With love - Aquarius
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PhD Alumni
Posts: 1882
Location: NE Ohio | Awww, Thank you Aquarius, I am glad my words meant something to anyone, it's just how i feel. But I also believe in a lot of what is said above as well... Innocent babies are born and taught really bad stuff and are unloved. It's unreal... but it's only temporary. Perhaps in a past life they were the villain and wanted to find out what it felt like to be on the other side, to understand and evolve. Bad and good exists... being in the middle is called survival, only while human.
Sorry i have been away... just returned from Hawaii to spend time with my daughter for Christmas and some extra days. I did miss home badly as there is no place like home!
HUGS |
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PhD Alumni
Posts: 4414
Location: United Kingdom | Hi Jill ... why, your words always mean so much to us here ... great to see you back
Hugs
PJ |
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PhD Alumni
Posts: 1882
Location: NE Ohio |  , Paul... Mahalo... meaning thank you! You too, are the best!
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Ph.D. Alumni
Posts: 694
Location: New Smyrna Beach, Florida | Aloha Jill,
Good to have you back online. Hawaii is a great place to visit but I have a really bad case of rock fever. I barely made the two months that I was on the big island. I'll be headed back on the road again myself..... this time to Ecuador and Gaia Sagrada for three months. Thanks to your Master attunement, I'll be passing that on to others in Reiki I, II and the Masters level over three consectutive months. Mahalo and Hau'oli Makahiki Hou......... |
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PhD Alumni
Posts: 4414
Location: United Kingdom | Thanks Jill
Leo - how jealous I am of you visiting the UMS Ecuador community. Please give us a full report back!
Blessings All
Paul |
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Alumni
Posts: 534
| Leo, I'm so happy to hear you are going to the Ecuador retreat- and for three months. I also look forward to hearing as much as possible about your experience. Send our love to Christine and any others from the school with whom we may be familiar. I wish you well on your journey there and back- and much fun during
Edited by Disa 12/30/2012 4:43 PM
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Ph.D. Alumni
Posts: 694
Location: New Smyrna Beach, Florida | I'm really looking forward to spending time at the retreat center. Christine has some interesting classes scheduled. I'm blessed to be able to spend some time with like minded folks. I'll keep you posted from Gaia Sagrada here on the forum.
Blessings and Happy New Consciousness Shift to one and all
Leo |
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UMS Guest
Posts: 1938
Location: United Kingdom | Dear Leo - hope you'll have a wonderfully uplifting time. I look forward to hearing all about it.
Love and best wishes, Aquarius
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UMS Guest
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Location: United Kingdom | Paul Joseph - 12/29/2012 9:35 PM Hi Jill ... why, your words always mean so much to us here ... great to see you back Hugs PJ I couldn't have said it better! It's good to see you around again. With love and big hugs, Aquarius
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UMS Guest
Posts: 1938
Location: United Kingdom | ‘The True Cause Of All Disasters’ and its accompanying articles are my contribution towards humankind’s search for finding a better understanding of the purpose and meaning behind the disasters and catastrophes, natural and man-made, that from time to time hit us and our world.
It is at the same time my reply to ‘Why bad things happen to good people’ and the thread Marty opened asking for prayers for the recent American schoolhouse massacre, which I just located. As this is such an important issue that I feel the opening of a new thread is justified. I hope you agree.
Edited by Aquarius 1/14/2013 1:58 PM
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PhD Alumni
Posts: 1882
Location: NE Ohio | Awwww, Love you all! I am angry that my email isn't giving me notices lately. I am going to have to check that out.
Hawaii was too much for me if long term... my daughter is still there Hawaii U Cheer leader, but it's expensive.
I just want her home. I was actually glad to be home, yet I miss the warm weather.
Hugs to all!!!
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PhD Alumni
Posts: 4414
Location: United Kingdom | Great to hear from you Jill. Take care
Hugs
PJ |
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Why bad things happen to good people
