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Glenn Stewart Coles, 9251 Yonge Street, Suite 8-924, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada, L4C 9T3 |
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Every person has a different opinion about our existence. Some believe in life after death, while others belief that existence simply stops. Some believe in a soul, others do not. Some believe in a pre-determined plan, and others that life is random. The beauty of our beliefs is that any theory could be correct. We choose the beliefs that give us the most comfort.
Though we are inundated with stories of near-death experiences, astral travel, spiritual encounters and psychic knowledge, the onus of scientific proof lies within the physical world. That which cannot be perceived through the senses, or which cannot be replicated, is determined not to exist. Limited by our physical reality, acceptance of the non-physical can only occur through faith. To put it simply, faith is choosing to believe in something without proof.
Faith affects our attitudes and behavior. Those who believe in karma or Judgment Day will often alter their actions based upon the projected outcome. Some people do not kill, not because it is judged to be immoral, but because of the fear of eternal punishment. Others experience lives of material accumulation, hedonistic pleasure, or sunken depression, believing that there is no further existence beyond this singular dimension.
I believe that I have an eternal soul. I believe that each person has a soul, and that all souls are equal, regardless of the persona projected. We are each human representations of an eternal energy. Every soul is capable of growth and contribution, and worthy of my respect. Though conscience and training guide my personal definition of right and wrong, it is not up to me to judge the lives of others.
I believe that I have had many lives before this one, and potentially many lives after. The persona of Glenn Stewart Coles is but one representation of the entity that is me. Throughout my existence, I have personally been male and female, black and white, rich and poor, young and old. Knowing that I may have existed in many forms makes it easier to accept others as they are. How can I denigrate another for being different, when I may have led that existence myself in another time and place?
Before birth, and after death, we exist as eternal energy, one with the universe. All knowing and all seeing, we realize that life as a physical being offers us perceptions, viewpoints, and experiences that we cannot fully appreciate as our spiritual self. How can one who is immortal feel the pressures of time? How can one who has everything experience lacking, or desire, or anticipation, or fulfillment? Our omnipotent selves cannot feel fear, or depression, or discovery, or excitement. Thus, in order to experience life in its fullest, we choose to come into existence in this physical plane.
Since the life we lead is but a segment of reality, we play the game at many levels. Sometimes, a challenging life serves our purpose better than a life of ease. Knowing that suffering is perception rather than circumstance, we place ourselves in situations that offer us the greatest growth, both spiritually and emotionally. What is it like to be a warrior, a peacemaker, a thief who is caught, or a thief who is not?
Each time we return, we desire to try something different. Sometimes the differences are immense, other times minute, but we would never choose to relive a moment that has already past. There should be no regrets, as each choice leads us to experiences that we would otherwise not achieve. Sometimes what an individual perceives as an undesired milestone was actually of tremendous benefit, leading us on paths of discovery that were not available to us without the crisis.
The benefit and beauty of my philosophy is that nothing really matters. As an eternal being with many chances to do it over again, the concepts of success or failure takes on different meanings. To me, success is progressing in my understanding of self. The ultimate achievement in life is not to serve myself but to contribute to others. Of course, sometimes we have to help ourselves in order to help others, and we do benefit from our generosity. However, since we can choose to keep coming back again and again, all of our desires will eventually be fulfilled.
Transformation Exercises
1. Do you believe that you have a soul? 2. Where did this belief (or doubt) come from? 3. What are your thoughts on reincarnation? 4. Can you remember any past lives? Even if the memories aren’t clear, who do you think you were?
© Copyright 2001 Glenn Stewart Coles. All rights reserved.
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Faith is choosing to believe in something without proof. |
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Before birth and after death, we exist as eternal energy, one with the universe. |
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Soul Man |
