Times of transition, like those we are living through now, are often marked by chaos, uncertainty, and the unraveling of certainties that no longer hold. These in-between seasons can be deeply unsettling, yet they are also profoundly formative. More than ever, such times call for clarity of purpose and a conscious alignment with our core values and guiding principles.
During such seasons, the new has not yet taken shape. The ancient Chinese I Ching, or the Book of Change, offers timeless guidance for such moments. It does not promise quick solutions or firm ground. Instead, it teaches us how to live wisely while the ground is moving beneath our feet.
The new struggling to be born
At the heart of the I Ching is a simple truth: change is not an interruption of life. Chaos is not a mistake. It is often the sign that something new is struggling to be born.
In times of transition, the I Ching counsels restraint rather than force. The outer world feels increasingly unstable, with the individual feeling helpless amid external circumstances that cannot be controlled. Yet the I Ching invites us to turn toward inner alignment. Before you act, you are asked to listen. Before you decide, you are asked to become still enough to discern what truly matters.
Waiting is not passive resignation
These in-between seasons call for patience. The I Ching reminds us that timing is sacred. Action taken too soon can distort what is forming; action taken too late can miss the moment entirely. As the book puts it:
“Waiting. If you are sincere, You have light and success.” — I Ching, Hexagram 5
This waiting is not passive resignation. It is an active, attentive presence—a way of staying faithful to the process even when the outcome is not yet visible.
Discovering what genuinely sustains you
Integrity becomes the anchor in such times. When familiar supports fall away, you discover what genuinely sustains you. The I Ching repeatedly emphasizes that inner truth—not certainty, control, or speed—is what carries us through periods of upheaval. To remain faithful to what is essential within you is, in itself, a spiritual practice.
The book also teaches adaptability without self-betrayal. Like water, we are encouraged to yield without losing our depth, to respond without hardening, to move with change rather than against it. True transformation, it suggests, begins quietly, often invisibly, long before it takes form in the outer world.
Perhaps most importantly, the I Ching directs our attention away from grand solutions and back toward the small and the near:
The words we choose to speak
Listening with mindfulness
Caring for one another
Paying attention to the inner life and consciousness.
In times of uncertainty, it is these humble acts that carry the future.
The in-between is not a void. It is a threshold.
When we stop trying to escape it, fix it, or rush through it, we begin to sense its hidden gift. Something is loosening. Something is aligning. Something is quietly taking shape.
And the invitation is simple, though not easy: to become still enough to hear what this season of change is asking of you.
P.S. For those who feel drawn to explore this in-between season more intentionally, I am offering a six-week online course, Pilgrimage into New Beginnings. It is a quiet, reflective journey for times of transition, starting February 4th.
There’s something quietly profound about spending time in a natural landscape that hasn’t been tamed or touched by human hands. Whether it’s in the African bush, a lonely walk in the Galician mountains, or on a mundane path in the Meseta. What strikes me every time is how life insists on diversity. Every insect, tree, bird, and creature is somehow interconnected in a grand, mysterious harmony. Nature doesn’t strive for sameness. It thrives because of its differences.
And I’ve come to believe the same is true for humanity.
Every different culture, cuisine, language, and spiritual tradition feels like a distinct fingerprint of life, carrying its own wisdom, colors, and cadence. They’re not threats to one another but complementary parts of a much larger whole.
When we try to flatten the world into one belief system, one way of being, one “truth,” we violate a deep principle embedded in creation itself.
So many of the “isms” we’ve inherited, such as nationalism, tribalism, and certain flavors of extreme patriotism, tend to dehumanize those who don’t fit neatly into the mold. When difference becomes a threat instead of a teacher, it often escalates into exclusion, oppression, and even violence.
And yet, the ancient sages and mystics remind us: under all these differences, there is unity.
The Baha’i Faith teaches that all religions stem from the same divine source, evolving like chapters in one great story of spiritual awakening with the great spiritual teachers from different religions appearing at a certain chosen time and place.
Mahayana Buddhism tells us that all beings possess Buddha-nature, regardless of the path they walk; the light within is the same.
In Christian Mysticism, creation is declared “good,” and every human made in the image of God, each of us carrying a unique spark of divine purpose. Meister Eckhart, the 13th-century mystic, wrote:
“The eye through which I see God is the same eye through which God sees me; my eye and God’s eye are one eye, one seeing, one knowing, one love.”
Another echo of this truth comes from the writings inspired by Julian of Norwich (c. 1342 – after 1416), an English woman who lived in quiet prayer and seclusion:
“Each soul is a unique expression of God’s love, as varied and wondrous as the colors in creation.”
This isn’t just theology. It’s a call to practice. A spiritual responsibility. If diversity is sacred, then how I relate to it matters. Am I listening? Am I open? Am I willing to be changed by what I don’t yet understand?
This can become a daily transformative spiritual practice:
What can I learn from the differences I perceive in others?
What is it that provokes my discomfort, anger, or fear?
Why am I drawn to some cultures and landscapes, and repelled by others?
These questions may serve as an invitation into a deeper clarity and humility.
In a world increasingly shaped by division, choosing to honor diversity is a form of sacred resistance. It’s a return to the original design of creation: not uniformity, but unity through difference. And when you lean into that, something holy begins to take shape both around you and within.
“The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.” — Pablo Picasso
Every soul incarnates with a unique purpose, and life itself is a journey of becoming who you truly are. Yet, from an early age, societal conditioning often obscures the soul’s inner calling, leading to discontent and unhappiness.
The Oracle of Delphi, inscribed at the Temple of Apollo, imparted the timeless wisdom: “Know Thyself.” This maxim reminds us that true purpose and wisdom emerge through deep self-reflection—by peeling away illusions, pretenses, and the false identities imposed by the world, we uncover our authentic essence.
Several sages have expanded on the maxim of Delphi by adding: “Know who you are not”, aligning with the practice of Neti Neti (“not this, not that”) in Advaita Vedanta, a Hindu philosophy. It seeks to understand the self by negating all that is not the true self. Perceiving the divine comes after self-reflection of “knowing thyself” and then “knowing who you are not”. The Islamic hadith states, “He who knows himself knows his Lord.”
From early childhood, we are subtly shaped by influences that can obscure our true nature and pull us away from our unique path in life. The hidden traps come in the form of societal norms, expectations, and fears.
Social Conditioning & External Expectations
From early childhood, we absorb the values, beliefs, and expectations of the family we were born into. Parents often make the mistake of carving out a career path for their child without sensing its deeper yearning. Many realize only later in life that the ladder has been placed against the wrong wall. This often occurs during a midlife crisis.
Self-Deception & Ego
Through self-talk, we often construct identities based on what we want in life rather than who we truly are. Uncomfortable truths are avoided with the ego protecting itself with rational justifications. The mind creates stories, but identifying too much with them keeps us trapped in illusions.
Fear of Change or Truth
Human beings are creatures of habit. Making fundamental changes like creating distance to family members or friends pulling us down to a lower vibrational level requires brave decisions and honest self-reflection.
Seeking Validation from Others
When we rely on external approval, we shape our identity based on how others perceive us rather than our own inner truth. Social media amplifies certain images of “success” and “happiness” mostly by encouraging consumerism.
Finding Stillness
To truly discover who you are, you must create space for stillness. In quiet moments, especially in nature, your senses open to the whispers of the soul. Here, you can seek guidance from God, a higher intelligence, or your higher self. Yet, these answers can only reach your heart when you free yourself from the endless noise of external distractions.
Without solitude, self-awareness remains shallow. Cultivating a meditation practice can help deepen your connection to your inner self. There is no single perfect way to meditate—it might be sitting in stillness, walking mindfully in nature, listening to spiritual music, or engaging in slow, flowing movements like Tai Chi or Qi Gong. The key is to find what brings you into presence and alignment with your true essence and purpose.
Reino Gevers – Author – Mentor – Speaker
If you enjoyed this article you will be interested in my books available where all good books are sold.
A right-wing media ecosystem fueled by resentment and anger is capturing millions of minds with a steady stream of alternate realities, stoking division, and delivering a daily narrative designed to reinforce grievance and distrust.
Social media is becoming an even more integral part of daily life, particularly for younger generations, as highlighted by Pew Research. While extremist platforms like Rumble remain smaller than giants like YouTube, they still attract millions of followers, spreading a wide array of conspiracy theories and disinformation.
Driven by a core message of fear and anxiety, these “hate entrepreneurs” pin blame for personal and collective challenges on a shifting cast of internal and external enemies, further exacerbating divisions.
Doom prophecies have long been a typical playbook of cults and populist political leaders.
It appears that once a person has invested huge time and energy resources in a particular belief, it becomes part of their identity. Even the best argument or scientific study will not dissuade the person from adopting a different perspective. They become locked in a particular mindset. Different perspectives or beliefs are radically rejected and some even turn to violent behavior to defend their mindset.
During medieval times when the black plague decimated much of the European population, rumor and superstition spread just as fast. A rumor that the Jews were responsible for the plague by poisoning water wells led to a mass pogrom in the French city of Strasbourg. About 2,000 Jews were burned alive on a platform constructed in a Jewish cemetery on Valentine’s Day in 1349.
Leon Festinger, a social psychologist, made groundbreaking contributions in the 1950s to understanding belief systems. He based much of his findings on studying a cult led by Dorothy Martin (alias Marian Keech), who claimed to receive messages from extraterrestrial beings about a catastrophic flood that would destroy the Earth on a specific date.
In some of his key findings he found that members of the cult were so committed to their belief that they abandoned jobs, loved ones and possessions in preparation for the flood. When the prophecy failed, instead of abandoning their belief, the cult members rationalized the failure by claiming that their prayers had “saved the world.”
Festinger found that cognitive dissonance was highest among those who had made the most significant personal sacrifices for the cult, doubling down on their belief and reinforcing their fanaticism.
In a digital world it becomes far easier for cults and extremist groups to maintain cohesion by withdrawing into information silos that cement beliefs such as:
Climate change denial
Vaccines are a conspiracy by the pharmaceutical industry
The “chemtrails” conspiracy theory posits that the condensation trails left by aircraft—are chemicals intentionally sprayed into the atmosphere for nefarious purposes. The rumor has persisted since the early 1990s despite the lack of clear scientific evidence.
Fixed belief and fanaticism ultimately creates a toxic emotional state, blending fear, anxiety, and anger. It fosters dehumanization, deepens political polarization, and fractures social cohesion.
On a personal level, it becomes a significant barrier to self-growth and spiritual evolution. In a rapidly changing world, adapting is essential for survival. Clinging to rigid beliefs not only limits personal transformation but also blinds you to the new opportunities and possibilities the universe continually offers.
Reino Gevers – Author – Mentor – Speaker
P.S. If you enjoyed this article you will be interested in my books available where all good books are sold.
You don’t need to be a conspiracy theorist to see that extremist groups are exploiting global fears and uncertainties to push an agenda that threatens basic freedoms and hinders humanity’s collective progress.
Despite significant advancements over the past two decades, there is rising resistance from forces entrenched in primordial ideologies, where power is maintained through subjugation and conflict.
For your own peace of mind, it is important not to be overwhelmed by the voices of negativity emanating from the external world, but at the same time be aware of the manipulative forces trying to lure you into a false reality.
Fear and anxiety create an imagined threat
When in fear and anxiety you not only become susceptible to a false narrative but you will be held back to the next level of growth and consciousness. The natural human survival mechanism of freeze, flight, or fight mode is triggered by the primitive or “reptilian brain” when a real or imagined threat is perceived.
Those regions of the brain playing a significant part in decision-making, creativity, and problem-solving such as the prefrontal cortex, parietal cortex, and portions of the temporal and occipital lobes are literally put on hold.
Evil forces are masters at creating and manipulating grievance culture
If you are unable to reflect and put those fears and anxieties in perspective or when emotions from past trauma are suppressed, you are easy prey for manipulation by external forces. Political demagogues are masters at building a grievance culture based on existing collective fears, shame, or humiliation.
These simple but highly effective techniques have been used by dictators, authoritarians, and cult leaders throughout history:
Reshaping public opinion by spreading a false and misleading narrative. Quality media and journalism characterized by in-depth reporting and fact-checking is slammed as fake news. Followers are increasingly lured into a “group-think” mentality where all other perspectives are vilified as disloyalty and betrayal.
The charismatic leader presents himself as a “messianic figure” promising to solve all problems and fulfill people’s needs. They promote an image of themselves as infallible leaders cultivating a cult-like devotion among followers.
Certain groups, individuals, parties, and minorities are scapegoated to deflect blame and to unite followers behind the leader, deflecting from their own failings and weaknesses.
They manipulate historical narratives to legitimize their rule and justify their actions. This can involve glorifying past achievements, whitewashing atrocities, or demonizing political opponents.
Independent institutions such as the judiciary, legislature, and civil society organizations are usurped to prevent checks and balances in the system. It took Adolf Hitler and his Nazi party less than three months to replace the entire German civil service with loyalists after coming to power in a democratic election in 1933.
Loyalists are rewarded with a combination of rewards and punishments to discourage dissent. Critics are either forced into exile, imprisoned or litigated into bankruptcy.
The Maga Republicans in the United States, Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz party in Hungary, Germany’s extremist AfD party, the Putinist movement in Russia or the Erdogan program in Turkey, all show similar totalitarian characteristics and have a common agenda.
Extremist movements are adept at creating a nostalgic and glorified view of the past where in their view “there was more prosperity, less crime, less social unrest, and the woman knew her place in the social hierarchy.”
Present realities are painted darker than they actually are. Our parents and grandfathers by far did not have the same opportunities as we have today: Here a few examples:
Global poverty rates have declined significantly over the past two decades. Many countries, particularly in Asia, have experienced rapid economic growth, lifting millions out of poverty.
Technological advancements have transformed communication and access to information, enabling greater connectivity and social mobilization. Can you imagine a world today without Internet and a cell phone in your hand with all the information in the world at your fingertips?
Renewable energy sources have become more prominent, creating cheaper energy and boosting economic prosperity.
There is a growing recognition of the interconnectedness of all life and the importance of environmental sustainability, social justice, and ethical living. Many spiritual and religious traditions emphasize values such as compassion, empathy, and stewardship of the Earth.
There has been a proliferation of spiritual movements, beliefs, and practices, reflecting diverse cultural, religious, and philosophical traditions. We are fast embracing a more tolerant and universal “cosmic religion.”
These changes could only take place with more freedoms, room for expression and acceptance of diversity and change as a fundamental part of human evolvement and advancement. It is worth fighting to protect these freedoms.
Let’s acknowledge the historical truth: extremist, fascist movements inflicted the most catastrophic human tragedy and loss of life during World War II.
Today, we stand at a critical juncture where concerted action is imperative to thwart Russia’s advances in Ukraine, a crucial player in global food exports. If the United States, were to cease armament support to Ukraine and inadvertently aid Putin’s aggression, the consequences would be dire. We could witness a mass displacement of many millions of people towards Western Europe, destabilizing societies on a global scale.
Furthermore, intelligence assessments suggest that Putin’s ambitions extend far beyond Ukraine. There are concerns of potential Russian expansion into the Baltic states and even Poland, effectively redrawing geopolitical boundaries.
Simultaneously, Putin’s regime propagates an insidious information war, sowing seeds of hatred and division in numerous countries. Alarmingly, elements within the Maga Republican movement have been parroting verbatim Russian disinformation.
However, a successful defense by Ukraine against Russian forces would not only safeguard its sovereignty but also channel resources to long-term global goals of environmental conservation, public health, poverty alleviation, and securing a brighter and more peaceful future for generations to come.
When confronted with dark forces, you have a choice: Will you follow the path of hate, division, anger, and conflict, or will you embrace your own inner truth and humanity of joy, kindness,and compassion?
Reino Gevers – Author – Mentor – Speaker
P.S. I’m excited to announce the release of my latest book, “The Turning of the Circle: Embracing Nature’s Wisdom for Purposeful Living.” If you enjoy it, you might also be interested in my previous works, “Deep Walking for Body, Mind and Soul” and “Walking on Edge: A Pilgrimage to Santiago.” You can find all of these titles at reputable bookstores near you.
“Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.” – Buddha
In my early days as a news reporter covering the ‘court beat’ and witnessing some of humanity’s worst crimes, it was disheartening to see how many criminals, even when faced with undeniable evidence, would contort the truth, painting their victims as the villains.”
In the tumultuous public information space, truth finds itself relegated to the backseat, drowned out by a cacophony of lies, deception, and hate speech. The manipulation of truth isn’t solely the domain of petty criminals; it’s a tool wielded with equal fervor by autocrats, dictators, and cult leaders.
I’ve often pondered how individuals can fabricate and obscure with such unwavering conviction that one might almost be inclined to believe them. It dawned on me that evil, or Satan isn’t merely a religious concept but a stark reality, inhabited by individuals devoid of a moral compass and exhibiting behavior far removed from what society deems normal and ethical.
In the increasingly muddied water of social media, we need to call out the purveyors of evil messaging. They are easily identifiable:
They lack complete empathy and have no qualms in causing harm and suffering to others.
They are masters at manipulating words. Their tools are deception and gaslighting. Their lies and twisting of the truth will make you doubt your own sanity.
They seek complete control. They will pressure, intimidate, and coerce. They demean, humiliate, or degrade others as a means of asserting power and dominance.
Charisma. Externally they are sometimes charismatic, outgoing, and charming personalities. But they have an agenda. They are trying to gain your trust while secretly pursuing their own selfish agenda – typical among religious and political cult leaders.
Emotional manipulation. If you have not transmuted your own dark emotions of fear, anxiety, hate, and shame you are easy prey. They will tell you that all your “bad feelings” have been caused by “others” – people of other faiths, cultural origins, and political beliefs. By this stage, you will be willing to follow them unconditionally all the way into the darkest of dungeons.
The good news is that God has given us the power of choice. Our primary purpose on earth is to elevate consciousness. You ultimately have the power to transcend limited perspectives, biases, and conditioned beliefs, gaining greater clarity, empathy, and interconnectedness with the broader world of existence.
By engaging in simple acts of service, kindness, and altruism you will cultivate a sense of purpose, fulfillment, and connection to something greater than yourself.
By learning to love yourself you will cultivate empathy and compassion towards others, fostering a greater sense of connection and understanding of the human experience.
Explore and study spiritual and philosophical traditions that promote personal growth, self-discovery, and a sense of interconnectedness with higher consciousness.
To quote Robert Frost: “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.”
Reino Gevers – Author – Mentor – Speaker
P.S. I’m excited to announce the release of my latest book, “The Turning of the Circle: Embracing Nature’s Wisdom for Purposeful Living.” If you enjoy it, you might also be interested in my previous works, “Deep Walking for Body, Mind and Soul” and “Walking on Edge: A Pilgrimage to Santiago.” You can find all of these titles at reputable bookstores near you.
A ray of light travels into a chamber, illuminating a spiral motif representing a vortex for the dead in completion of their journey from this world into the „other world“.
The phenomenon at an ancient site in Newgrange, Ireland, is thought to date back 2800 BC and occurs every year on December 21st, marking the shortest day and longest night of the year in the northern hemisphere.
At Stonehenge, in the United Kingdom, another ancient site from the Bronze Age, the sun rises behind the entrance of a stone circle illuminating the Centre.
The lives of ancient cultures were closely intertwined with the laws of nature and the transition of the seasons and were elaborately celebrated in ritual and religious ceremony.
Modern man’s disconnect from nature and spiritual essence appears to be at the root of much of today‘s confusion and mental instability. Our modern versions of Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving are a poor reflection of their original spiritual meaning.
The celebration of the birth of Christ in Bethlehem, comes just after the winter solstice, representing victory over darkness, rebirth, and hope over fear.
The hope of the guiding star
The guiding star that led the Magi to the birthplace of Jesus, represents hope, divine guidance, and the birth of a significant spiritual event, signifying the arrival of a special and transformative moment.
The celebration of the birth of Christ is associated with an annual inner spiritual rebirth of the “Christ within“
The ancient Mystics refer to each individual having a divine and spiritual essence connected to a higher consciousness.
In Christianity, it may be linked to the belief that Christ’s spirit resides within believers, guiding and influencing their thoughts, actions, and spiritual journey.
Connecting to the spiritual essence
In a broader sense, it can be found in various spiritual and philosophical traditions that emphasize inner enlightenment and connection to a higher reality.
The “Buddha Nature“ has the optimistic view that every individual can attain enlightenment through spiritual practice and awareness.
Defilements and obscurations that prevent enlightenment are considered temporary and removable.
The time between Christmas and New Year – a time symbolizing the transition from the old to the new – is of particular spiritual significance.
Whatever negative experience, loss and trauma you have experienced this year this quiet space can be spent for inner reflection and contemplation.
What addictive thoughts and beliefs are holding you back? What things are distracting you? What relationships are pulling you down into a lower vibrational field?
When the old can be released the path into the gateway of spiritual renewal and purpose opens.
Reino Gevers – Author – Mentor – Speaker
P.S. I’m excited to announce the release of my latest book, “The Turning of the Circle: Embracing Nature’s Wisdom for Purposeful Living.” If you enjoy it, you might also be interested in my previous works, “Deep Walking for Body, Mind and Soul” and “Walking on Edge: A Pilgrimage to Santiago.” You can find all of these titles at reputable bookstores near you.
It was a beautiful sunny spring day in 1986. Nature was awakening from the long winter with white and yellow daffodils blooming on lush green meadows. Birds were singing and looking out to build their nests. Nobody could see the invisible enemy: Airborne radioactive contamination sweeping over northern Europe from the world’s worst nuclear disaster at the Chernobyl power plant in the Soviet Union.
Defining moments of history
Radio and TV were warning the population, especially pregnant women, to stay indoors. It was one of those defining moments of history that precipitated the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War.
These last weeks have been a deja vu experience. Here on the beautiful island of Majorca, we are locked into our homes for at least the next three weeks as beautiful spring days unfold. It is one of the defining moments in a lifetime which we will remember like the 9/11 terror attack – where those of us alive at the time remember exactly what we did that day.
The fear pandemic
The coronavirus crisis is changing our world as we know it and teaching humanity a number of lessons. The emotional, psychological and economic impact will be far more profound than the impact of the virus itself. I wrote in a previous blog that the uncertainty, global lockdowns and constant bombardment of negativity on social media are creating a global fear and anxiety pandemic.
During such times it is crucial to remain grounded and not to be distracted by the constant stream of coronavirus news trackers and horror scenarios. Humanity is challenged enormously when everything that we know changes within days and weeks. For some, it is too much to bear and we need to be supportive, mindful and caring to those vulnerable people around us. Not only the old, weak and frail but also those who are feeling mentally on the edge.
Raised human consciousness
The coronavirus crisis is one of the events driving humanity another notch up to a raised higher consciousness. Sometimes we need a jolt and a wake-up call like an alcoholic lying flat on the ground in desperation before he seeks a cure. Interestingly, the coronavirus is also called “covid-19”. In geomancy, the primary root number of the 19 is 1 (1 +9 = 10 = 1+0 = 1). The one marks the beginning of a new era in the cycle of elements (spring or wood element). The 9 stands for the universal spiritual law, enlightenment, and service for humanity.
Having versus BEING
The opposite of the obsession and attachment to things is Living to BE. Being is opening the senses to nature, is living in the moment, and gratitude. We are social beings and happiness is in friendships and the love we give and get from the loved ones around us. The enemy is not another nation, another race, another religion, or another political party. We are affected globally by this challenge as a human species. We are having to move into a collective responsibility, especially in dealing with climate change and the destruction of our ecosystems of which we are an essential part. Moving from Having into Being is changing our entire economic system from exploitation to one than is sustainable and restorative. It is necessary and essential to our survival as we don’t have much time left.
The power of thought
Already we are seeing a counter-movement to the general feeling of despondency. Social media groups are developing fast committed to posting just positive news and funny stories. Volunteer organizations are being formed in towns and villages to help support the elderly who cannot leave their homes to go shopping. While we have a culture of narcissism focused on individual gratification and validation, the counter-movement is focused primarily on service and uplifting the community spirit. Challenges and crisis situations are also opportunities to rise to the occasion and to bring out the best in us.
Nature needs a break
Friends living in big cities are telling me that they can hear for the first time the birds singing because there is no traffic noise. Pollution levels are down everywhere. The lagoon in Venice is so clear that fish can be seen for the first time because all the boats and cruise ships are no longer churning up the sediment. Nature is rejoicing in this short break from the human rat race.
What is religious and what is spiritual? At its best religion is a ritualized expression of the spiritual. At its worst, it becomes an instrument of dehumanization and control.
While religion focuses on who you are supposed to be by abiding by certain rules of conduct and practice, spirituality is all about becoming who you really are with all your unique, individual, God-given potentials and abilities.
Religion is a doctrine that tells you what to believe, what group you need to belong to and what rules you have to follow. Spirituality is experienced from within. You believe because you have felt and experienced. You do the “right thing” because you just know what is good and what is bad for the Greater Whole.
Most of the many fellow pilgrims I have spoken to on my walks on the Spanish Camino would describe themselves as spiritual seekers rather than followers of a certain religious doctrine.
In becoming mindful and watchful for the subtle messages of the universe transmitted in dreams, images, and symbols, life takes on an entirely different meaning. Put in a different way: God speaks to us in many different ways.
We are on the brink of another raised level of human consciousness which is non-divisive, universalist, tolerant, self-reflective and compassionate.
At the same time, elementary and revolutionary changes are always confronted with a backlash from those defending the old order.
In recent years we have seen a frightening rise of movements seeking to divide and separate with fear-instilling messages, propounded by dangerous narcissistic and ego-driven leaders.
It is the natural pendulum of the yin and the yang. Energy is wasted in the hysteria over the actions coming from the shadow.
In going with the higher frequency of the raised consciousness, the danger is that we react with the same patterns as our adversaries. We also become hateful, ranting and vengeful.
Yet when seen according to the law of opposites that is the foundation of life, a different perspective can be taken. Identity is defined in terms of the opposite and it is often when confronted with the extreme opposite that we are galvanized into action.
(This is an extract from “Deep Walking for Body, Mind and Soul”) Reino Gevers – Author, Mentor, and Consultant
As a young newspaper reporter in South Africa in the early 1980s, I once covered a trial of a man accused of brutally raping and murdering a young girl. Once during the trial, our eyes met and a cold shiver ran down my spine. I had the feeling that I was looking into a dark cold abyss. The man was eventually found guilty and sentenced to death.
Eyes reveal your true nature
Eyes are a window to the soul and we intuitively feel whether they are kind, compassionate and loving or the direct opposite. We live in a world of polarities. There is good and there is evil. The pull between the tides, night and day, summer and winter, expansion and withdrawal is part of the yin and yang that make up our world.
The story of Good and Evil is deeply embedded in our subconsciousness from the first story in the Bible. The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil was planted by God with the commandment to Adam and Eve not to eat from it. Pain and evil started in the world when Adam and Eve broke the commandment and ate from the tree. The question often asked is: “Why did God plant the tree in the first place?”
Co-creating with the power of choice
One of the answers: By giving man the freedom of choice, God separated him from other beings, giving him the power of being a co-creator. Choice separates us from other beings who do exactly what they have been designed for. Choice separates us from being mindless zombies to being human with all our doubts, our pains, and emotions. By experiencing the dark night of the soul we appreciate all the more rejuvenation and happiness. It is in the dark night that we often gain the greatest spiritual insight and wisdom.
The lines between good and evil are getting blurred
By seeing and confronting evil we know what needs to be done. But in today’s world of information overload, professional deceivers have been given a massive platform for mind control. The lines between good and evil get blurred when a lie becomes a truth through repetition in the echo chambers of social media.
Where there is spiritual disconnect, the loss of alignment between the above and the below, lack of purpose, and emotional turmoil the power of evil will manifest itself. Put in another way: There is evil where there is a complete absence of God. It is that power that destroys the air we breathe, the waters we drink and the earth from which we are nurtured. As within so without.
In the past religion taught us that doing good was by following commandments, certain rituals, and a certain belief system. It excluded all others who did not follow this belief system. The preachers, themselves very often fallible human beings, were those who defined right and wrong.
The spirituality of the New Earth is internal rather than external. It is alignment with true self and soul purpose. From that grows the intuitive wisdom and power of discernment. We do the right thing and make the right choices from the base of mindful inner awareness that comes with continuous spiritual practice.
ReinosBlog 