New Beginnings – The Blooms of Easter

SPRING BLOOMS – And New Beginnings

Spring has long been my favorite time of year, precisely because it holds within its essence the gift of new beginnings.  In college, and well beyond, I lived in the midst of a dark night of the soul. I was searching, but for what exactly, I did not know. My searching led me to the study of philosophy, psychology and theology and ultimately to seminary. There I spent three years immersed in the study of Christianity, its history, theology and practices. During this time, I was deeply embedded in my own personal transformation process.  As I delved deeper into my studies, I was drawn to the writings of Carl Jung. His work had a profound influence on me as it offered a deeper, broader understanding of the spiritual process within each of us. Rather than a study of an external belief system, his words guided me inward where I knew instinctively that true faith resided. Spring and the Easter season set up residence in my heart as the profoundly symbolic expression of rebirth and transformation.  This awareness already existed in my soul.

THE HISTORICAL JESUS

The truth of the historical Jesus almost didn’t matter anymore. Whether or not he said this or that, or rose from the dead or not was irrelevant to the power of transformation that lies within each and every one of us. The process of death and rebirth is a process that removes our shackles and changes us from the inside out.  Symbolically, each new bud that emerges in the spring is a tangible reminder that though we think all is lost, new beginnings await on the horizon.  Hope is our birthright. It is the universe’s gift to us. If Jesus Christ lived and died for any reason, it was this, to remind us that hope springs eternal.

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I no longer am able to confine myself and my belief system to the Christian faith. I honor those who do so with integrity. Any person who is earnest in their attempts to live their faith from the inside is worthy of respect.  I rarely talk about my personal faith here because words feel too small and limiting. They leave too much room for misunderstanding and confusion. The power of the Universe is ever evolving, or rather ever revealing itself to us. When we limit it, we risk losing something of value.

Why must we put our faith in a container?

We do this, I suspect, because it is far too big for us to hold. Organized religion then holds it for us. It is very difficult to hold faith loosely – to allow for the room it needs for expansion. The power of our rational minds works against us in this regard. It has been my experience, however, that every time I think I have found a handle, it slips away and I am once again surprised by its obsolescence. The dark night of the soul, the death of a dream, or a sudden change in our life circumstances forces us to let go, to die to our narrow perspectives, to make room for our transformation and expansion. When we resist the process, or turn to self-blame we thwart the process. Let Spring be your perpetual reminder to open your arms and your heart to all that is and allow the warmth of the sun to foster your blooming soul.

HAPPY EASTER * JOYFUL NEW BEGINNINGS *  BLESSED REBIRTH *

MAY YOU ALWAYS STAND IN HOPE

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Essays & Quotes

for the woman in transition.