Spiritual Meme

I looked everywhere for a good Spiritual Meme, but there aren't really any. And since I was just dying to do one, I decided to make one up and tag everyone who reads this to copy and paste and put their own answers so we can share. Then, if you do it, please comment and let us know so we can check it out.

Astrological Sign?
Taurus with Sagittarius moon.

Chinese Astrological Sign?
Metal Rooster

What are you currently setting your intention on or praying for?
Spring! Just kidding... my intention is set on getting my proverbial ducks in a row and attracting the perfect house sometime this summer.

Who do you pray to?
I haven't ever really prayed, but I suppose when I need help or guidance I ask "The Universe".

Do you believe God created humans or humans evolved from primordial goo?
Ha ha. Both. I think it's all connected and that the Source, whatever we call it, is continually creating - and that evolution was part of this creative process. We are not the end of this process either.

What is your mantra?
If I'm being honest, it's probably "what's next?" because I'm always a million miles ahead of myself. But what I would want it to be is "love".

Do you believe in Sin?
I believe in free will - and I believe that although we come into our lives with best intentions, we get caught up in drama, or victimization, or anger or fear and we make bad choices. But I don't think we are punished for it in the hereafter. I think it's part of the learning process.

Do you believe in Evil?
I guess this goes hand in hand with the last question. I think there is a darkness out there that can envelop us if we let it in.  But I see a universal balance - if there is to be good, there likely has to be bad.

What do you do when you see 11:11?
I always either make a wish or give thanks when I can't think of a single thing to wish for because I have all I need.

Do you believe in Angels?
A couple years ago I might have scoffed and equated angels with UFOs. But lately I've been a little more mindful of dismissing something because of the label we've put on it. I believe in bodhisattvas (enlightened beings), and I suppose it would not be impossible for me to believe that there are higher energies, intelligent, guiding energies out there that some might deem to be 'angels'.

Do you believe in God? If so, what does God look like to you?
I believe in an organized, intelligent field of energy that we are born of and return to when we die. I believe we can access this field through meditation and dreams. If I had to give it a "face" I'd say my version of god looks like a mandala of buzzing energies.

Is there an aspect of your religion/belief that you haven't made up your mind about?
There's a lot I'm still mulling over. Not sure what I think about these "new ages" ringing in with crystal kids and indigos and the lot. I certainly want to believe... but haven't had direct experiential proof yet.

Is there a religion that you don't follow, but deeply respect or admire?
I admire a lot of different religions. I admire the Buddhist path, the epicness of Hinduism, the personal power of Wicca, and I'm deeply drawn to the esoteric and mystical branches of Judaism and Christianity.

Who has inspired you the most on your spiritual path?
There have been so many contributors along the way, beautiful clear people who've shared their thoughts and listened to mine with open minds. In the last few years Wayne Dyer has notably been the source of many little epiphanies.

In your opinion, what is the worst mistake we make, as a species?
I know it's the standard response but I'd say getting caught up in material games. I love my iPod, don't get me wrong, but I think we use money and possessions to fill holes that we ought to fill with with love and learning.

What is something you would like to believe, but don't?
Heaven, the way it's depicted in movies.

Do you believe in soul mates?
Yes, but I think we have more than one and they're not always romantic connections. I have several good friends I consider soul mates because being around them makes my heart buzz with happy vibrations.

Reincarnation or heaven?
Reincarnation, or rejoining of the field, depending on your energy's goals.

Best "ah ha!" moment/epiphany?
When my good friend, who had passed away months earlier, contacted me through my dreams - it really was a big moment for me. I woke up knowing things I had only theorized about before.

Required spiritual reading?
2150 A.D. My dad had a beaten up paperback copy of it and lent it to me. It's the best of spiritual idealism and has a lot of great thinking in it. I think the Celestine Prophecy also helped me at the right time.

If you could pick, in your final moments, what would your last words be?
"See you soon. Love you."

Advice for a lost soul?
Follow your bliss. Trust yourself.

A song that encapsulates your beliefs?
"All You Need Is Love" by the Beatles.


TAG! Your turn. Copy and paste - can't wait to read.

Love Is In the Air

You'll have to forgive what promises to be an equally sappy and scattered entry as my mind is split a million different ways, what with my getting married in less than a week and all.

I wanted to talk about the other side and it's connection to love.

No doubt we all have questions, concerns even, over the fate of loved ones who've passed on. Where do they go? Is there a heaven? Is there a hell? Or do they recycle? Will they come back and see me? Do they watch over me? Do they still love us?

I've written before about the huge transformation that happened to me as a result of my close friend's death two years ago. But the greatest gift it gave me was a little bit of comfort about the nature of life after death.

Because I do believe we live on - in one form or another... And we retain the best of ourselves, the part of you that does not fear or doubt or worry. The part that does not know anger. The part that does not hold grudges or resent, or envy. It just is. And it is just love. That's all we take with us. Love.

I've been very fortunate to have met a very talented medium, a suburban mom of three, who drives a minivan and packs her kids lunches is also extremely tuned in to the other side. Her experiences would convince the most hardened skeptic, but she's not out to convert anyone or convince anyone. She just kind of does readings to pay some bills.

Through my many conversations with her, I've glimpsed just a slice of what goes on there. And it's not exactly what you might think.

For one, my friend - who committed suicide - was not in hell or anything remotely like it. And I know you've all wondered, who hasn't. Because at the heart of religion is just a lot of people showing up every week 'just in case' the church is right about sin and repentance and stuff. And a lot of us (myself included at the time of my friend's death) silently wonder how much the church and the bible got right... Including that little part about where suicides go when they die.

But I'm here to vouch for the fact that my friend is fine. He's hanging out on the other side, taking in some lessons, learning from all of his lives, taking stock of things and preparing for his next shift. And he still loves us - he still cares about the little things, like who his sister is dating and how his mother is coping. And he even cares that I'm tying the knot.

In fact, I know he'll be at my wedding on Saturday. I intend to say hello.

If I had to guess I'd say we're all divine. We're all little pieces of God. Because in my perfect universe, God is love. Nothing more. Nothing less.

To be in love, to love someone unconditionally makes you just a little more divine, doesn't it...