“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.“
– Mahatma Gandhi-
Many misconceptions surround the act of forgiveness, especially when it involves those who have caused you the most pain. However, when practiced with true intention, forgiveness is not about excusing harm but about freeing yourself from the emotional weight of resentment and anger. By embracing forgiveness the right way, you elevate your vibrational energy, fostering inner peace, and a greater sense of emotional and spiritual well-being.
Holding onto a grudge, hate or resentment creates stress while forgiveness creates inner peace and restores the trust in human connections.
Most spiritual traditions emphasize forgiveness as a path to enlightenment, inner peace, and a sense of purpose but there are many misconceptions about forgiveness, often amplified by religious doctrine.
Studies show that forgiveness can lower blood pressure, improve heart health, and reduce chronic stress. The body and mind are deeply connected, and forgiveness can lead to measurable health improvements.
It does not mean that you have to restore a relationship with the person who has caused you much pain but releasing yourself from the toxic emotions related to that incident.
Common misconceptions about forgiveness are that you are excusing the behavior of the person who has hurt you or that you must reconcile with the offender. Forgiveness is not weakness but takes takes strength and courage in facing your own shadow.
In a recent conversation on my Living to BE podcast with forgiveness expert Katharine Giovanni we delved into the typical misconceptions about forgiveness, many of them stemming from early childhood patterns. The key takeaways from her new book “The Ultimate Path to Forgiveness”:
Emotional freedom and harmony is a long-term process
Forgiveness is a step-by-step process that can transform the soul
You can practice forgiveness without physically meeting the person who has caused you pain and even with those who have long passed.
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 can watch the podcast interview with Katharine Giovanni here and also on the Youtube channel Living to BE
“Stupidity is a more dangerous enemy of the good than malice, because malice can be exposed and prevented by the use of force, but against stupidity we are defenseless.”- Dietrich Bonhoeffer –
The German theologian and dissident Dietrich Bonhoeffer is renowned for his unwavering faith, ethical convictions, and reflections on what it means to be a Christian in times of crisis. Sentenced to death in a sham trial by the Nazis, his philosophy on stupidity and evil remains strikingly relevant today, amid the resurgence of rightwing extremism.
In the weeks leading up to his execution, Bonhoeffer deeply reflected. He considered how ordinary, decent people abandoned independent thought and passively accepted horrific evil.
Bonhoeffer was arrested by the Nazis in April 1943 and held in a Berlin prison until his execution in April 1945 only weeks before the end of World War II. During his time in prison he outlined in his Letters and Prayers from Prison, a compelling view on the moral failings of a society leading up to authoritarian rule.
It is a stark warning to developments in today’s world marked by misinformation and the erosion of democratic norms and values in Western democracies.
Stupidity is more dangerous than evil?
He argued that stupidity was even more dangerous than evil because people were blind to reason and resistant to correction. Unlike an evil person, the stupid person is unaware of his own ignorance and can easily be manipulated by dark forces. A stupid person or a person stuck in an ego personality will also never admit that they made a mistake.
The theologian observed that individuals become even more foolish when becoming part of “group-think”, especially under authoritarian regimes. When individuals surrender independent thought to a group they become incapable of critical self-reflection, making them susceptible to propaganda.
People become particularly susceptible to stupidity and evil if they surrender their moral and intellectual independence to an external authority.
To resist this, according to Bonhoeffer individuals must be liberated through self-reflection and self-work:
Develop a strong ethical foundation based on conscience rather than blind obedience. He warned that authoritarian regimes manipulate people by dulling their moral senses. Behavior that would never have been tolerated under normal circumstances becomes the norm.
As a Christian theologian, Bonhoeffer emphasized that faith in God should lead to courage and resistance against injustice. True discipleship means refusing to be complicit with evil.
In oppressive systems people stop thinking for themselves. Encouraging education, open dialogue, and debate can counteract this.
Developing internal and external freedom
Bonhoeffer also recognized that internal liberation needed to be aligned at the same time with external freedom. He advocated for:
A just society required strong institutions that upheld justice and human dignity.
Bonhoeffer himself took direct action against the Nazi regime, arguing that when a state becomes oppressive, Christians and moral individuals must resist, even at great personal cost.
Oppressive systems isolate individuals to maintain control. Bonhoeffer emphasized the importance of ethical communities that support and empower individuals to act against injustice.
Bonhoeffer deeply believed in the interconnection between internal and external freedom. A society that values fundamental democratic freedoms will create conditions where moral and intellectual independence thrive.
People who are empowered by taking personal responsibility will challenge unjust systems rather than surrender to conformity. It is a powerful argument for the role of ethics, faith, and personal responsibility in protecting democracy.
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 can watch the podcast interview with Katharine Giovanni here and also on the Youtube channel Living to BE
You may call God love, you may call God goodness. But the best name for God is compassion.
– Meister Eckart 13-th century Mystic –
A society has lost its moral compass when the powerful are worshiped and calls for “mercy” and “compassion” provoke anger, hate and death threats.
Yet, showing mercy and compassion toward the weakest in society are fundamental to Jewish and Christian teachings.
Jesus’ words in the Sermon of the Mount: “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy,” (Matthew 5:7) is a call on the faithful to demonstrate a higher standard of moral and spiritual practice.
Layered words of meaning
Mercy is not just about forgiving others but also about showing compassion and kindness to those in need. Jesus spoke the ancient language of Aramaic and the original text reads: “Tubwehun lamrachmane dalehun nechwun rachme.”
They evoke a nurturing, active compassion rooted in the divine nature of God and mirrored in human relationships. By living mercifully, individuals not only transform their communities but also open themselves to God’s mercy and love, embodying the heart of Jesus’ teachings.
The words “lamrachmane” and “rachme” are richly layered in meaning:
Mercy is reciprocal: when you show rachme to others, you align yourself with God’s nature, and His rachme flows back to you.
Mercy is not merely about forgiveness but encompasses a way of being that prioritizes compassion and care for the vulnerable.
Being merciful is a daily commitment to help those in need—feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, or welcoming the stranger.
How we treat others mirrors who we are
It offers guidance to all human interactions. Believers are called upon to actively embody God’s mercy by being patient, forgiving, and generous in all their relationships.
Mercy is also central to teachings in the Jewish tradition of the Old Testament, particularly in the Psalms and Prophets.
Micah 6:8: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
“Psalm 103:8: “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.”
The absence of God and the manifestation of evil can generally be understood as the absence of goodness, moral corruption, or harm done to others. Sin is separation from God, leading to spiritual darkness, alienation, and suffering.
When individuals, a society or groups of individuals turn away from God’s moral law, they lose the moral compass that aligns with goodness. It leads to selfishness, violence, and neglect of others.
A society where the all-powerful define “truth and values”, there is inevitably moral and ethical decay. A survival of the fittest philosophy does something to the moral fabric of society as a whole.
Whether from a religious or philosophical perspective the presence of evil is a call to reflect on one’s own fundamental values and ethics, by resisting harm to others, promoting justice, and cultivating love, kindness and compassion.
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.
Throughout my life, I have grappled with the tension between religion and spirituality. Organized belief systems can so easily devolve into intolerance, hypocrisy, and hatred of those who look, think, or act differently. Ideology in all its forms fractures societies, breeding division and animosity.
Yet, creation thrives in diversity. God’s garden is a vibrant spectrum of colors and forms, each plant and flower enhancing the other in a harmonious beauty that can only be fully appreciated when seen in its entirety.
At its best, religion provides meaning and purpose to life. It offers solace and sanctuary during life’s most challenging moments—times of grief, loss, despair, and seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
Religion at its best and at its worst
Religion can unify communities, fostering a spirit of collective goodwill that transcends individual needs. Throughout history, faith-based inspiration has unleashed humanity’s most profound creativity in art, music, philosophy, and architecture. The masterpieces of Michelangelo, the compositions of Bach and Beethoven, and the enduring grandeur of centuries-old cathedrals and temples stand as testaments to the power of faith to inspire and elevate. At their core, all major religions share a universal message of love, compassion, kindness, and peace.
Yet, at its worst, religion has been wielded as a tool for manipulation and abuse. It has perpetuated discrimination, financial exploitation, fraud, and instilled fear and shame in innocent victims, leaving lifelong scars.
Over centuries, countless lives have been lost in wars waged over dogma, with individuals persecuted or executed for deviating from “the true gospel.” Such hypocrisy has driven millions to turn away from institutionalized and denominational religion, creating a vacuum often filled by a trash culture of alternate ideologies, political extremism, or addictions to external gratification. The consequences of this disconnection are evident in the growing epidemic of depression and spiritual emptiness.
How spirituality creates resilience against life’s challenges
Recent research highlights a significant link between spiritual belief and resilience to depression. Those who believe in a higher power are often better equipped to navigate life’s challenges, finding balance and purpose more easily than those disconnected from spiritual practice.
Experiential spirituality, unlike externally imposed beliefs, emerges as a deeply personal “knowing.” As Carl Gustav Jung famously stated when asked if he believed in God: “I don’t believe. I know.” This kind of spirituality arises intuitively, often in moments of awe—walking in nature, contemplating a masterpiece, listening to music, or engaging in creative flow.
This prompts profound questions: Is religion merely a pathway to spirituality, or is it an end in itself? Are we transitioning into a post-religious era? How can we bridge the divide between organized religion and personal spirituality to cultivate deeper, more authentic connections with the divine?
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.
The rebirth of Paris’s Notre-Dame Cathedral, five years after a devastating fire, serves as a striking beacon of hope during a time marked by division, uncertainty, and fear. It is a powerful testament to what humanity can achieve when united in a shared purpose.
Europe’s great cathedrals, such as Chartres and Notre-Dame, were more than architectural marvels. They were profound expressions of faith, creativity, and communal spirit. These towering structures, built to reflect heavenly glory, continue to inspire awe and remind us of the enduring power of collective endeavor.
What unites people around a common purpose fosters trust and transcends individual interests. For millennia, religious rituals and practices have served this unifying function, binding communities to shared values, goals, and principles. Religion has also provided a framework for understanding suffering and adversity, offering solace and resilience in times of need.
Religion and the sense of belonging
As inherently social beings, humans find strength in connection. Participating in religious ceremonies has historically reinforced a sense of belonging and strengthened the social fabric of communities. Modern studies affirm this, linking faith and religious involvement to lower levels of depression and anxiety, underscoring the vital role of shared spirituality in nurturing mental and emotional well-being.
Hill and Pargament (2003) concluded that spirituality fosters resilience by enhancing hope and optimism, even in highly stressful situations.
But paradoxically the affiliation to a specific religion, community or faith often strengthens the divide between “them and us”. Religion can bring out the best and the worst in humanity. Friendships, humanity and service may be restricted to the “in group” while those outside the group were often villified and dehumanized.
In my recent podcast on LivingtoBE, I discussed with psychologist Katie Turner, on when spirituality or religion becomes toxic and in some cases cause long-lasting trauma.
When clergy, therapists or spiritual teachers have not done the the self-work by transmuting their own shadows they will project these on their followers.
Some religious beliefs discourage seeking professional help, claiming that prayer or faith alone should suffice.
Religion is then abused as a tool of manipulation, coercion, control and exclusion. Overemphasis on sin, punishment, or unachievable standards of moral purity can lead to chronic guilt and shame.
Toxic religion often revolves around charismatic leaders who demand absolute loyalty and discourage critical thinking or questioning.
When members of a religious community feel compelled to suppress their individuality, religion can even alienate them from their authentic spiritual path and soul purpose.
Religious platitudes may hinder personal growth and self-discovery, with fixed beliefs locking individuals into a singular worldview obstructing the evolution of spiritual awareness and consciousness.
What Can Help?
Set Boundaries: Establish clear limits on how much influence religion exerts over your life and well-being.
Seek Broader Perspectives: Explore spiritual practices and belief systems that prioritize love, tolerance, acceptance, and personal growth.
Consider Professional Support: Therapy or counseling can provide a safe space for healing from spiritual abuse or the effects of toxic religious experiences.
At its best, religion offers sanctuary, love, and compassion during times of need. At its worst, it can inflict profound physical and emotional harm. Cultivating a grounded connection to your own intuitive senses and spiritual needs will help you discern and navigate the difference, empowering you to recognize and avoid toxic expressions of faith.
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.
The landscape that you inhabit shapes you in profound ways, prompting the question: Where is home, and what environment truly nurtures your joy, energy, and zest for life?
Recently, I returned to South Africa, revisiting the places that defined my childhood. The journey was deeply reflective, stirring memories and a realization: home is no longer where it once was.
While timeless landmarks like the mountains and rivers of the Drakensberg endure, everything shaped by human hands changes—and often, tragically, deteriorates.
In rural South Africa, essential infrastructure like roads, sanitation, water, and electricity has largely collapsed or is on the brink of failure. Political corruption has turned state institutions into feeding troughs for party loyalists, leaving what was once the pride of Africa’s railways and roads in disrepair.
The place of home can shift
Circumstances led me to leave my birthplace at a young age. For years, I lived and worked in Germany—a land tied to my ancestral roots but one I could never truly call home. The long, cold, and wet winters left me battling colds and flu for weeks, an unmistakable signal that my well-being needed a different environment.
At times I was terribly homesick, longing for the blue skies, expansive landscapes, sounds and smells of my African homeland. It is easy to fall into the trap of melancholy sadness of what once was and is no more, the past becoming an idealized and distorted image.
Finding the place in the sun
Seven years ago, I found my place under the sun in Mallorca, Spain. It wasn’t until then that I fully understood how deeply geography, culture, and community impacts not just physical health but mental vibrancy and energy.
Sometimes, choosing to live someplace else does change everything for the better, notwithstanding that you always take yourself with you. Home is ultimately within. Home is what creates a sense of belonging and purpose.
Feeling at home sometimes shifts as you grow, adapt, and explore the world. At times, it’s where you were born or raised, rooted in childhood memories and traditions. At other times, it’s where you feel most alive, inspired, and at peace—a place or state of mind that aligns with your values, dreams, and well-being.
Recently the most renowned South African writer and poet Breyten Breytenbach passed away in his home in Paris. In his prose, Breytenbach frequently explored how the home one remembers rarely aligns with the home one finds upon return. The landscapes may remain familiar, but the social, political, and personal contexts often shift dramatically.
Returning home can evoke a profound sense of loss—of the self that once belonged fully to that place and the home that no longer exists as it was. Returning to childhood landscapes can be a complex, bittersweet experience, marked by both longing and alienation.
In a poignant in his book “Return to Paradise”, Breytenbach reflects:
We carry our homes within us, shaped by the stories of our scars. The land may hold its silence, but the roads remember our footsteps.
Where is the place where you can truly breathe and thrive?
What does home mean to you?
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.
Loneliness and solitude are often confused, but they are fundamentally different. Loneliness is not merely the absence of human relationships. It reflects a deeper sense of inner emptiness, signifying a lack of meaning and a disconnect from purpose.
Loneliness is a place of pain where the void often manifests in addictions, especially to external distractions that ultimately create more suffering.
Solitude is an intentional choice
Solitude, on the other hand, is the intentional choice to spend time alone. It is a self-created space for recalibration and mental detox.
In solitude, the mind is given the opportunity to quiet itself, creating a fertile ground for personal growth, self-discovery, and creativity.
While loneliness drains, solitude replenishes.
Meditation, yoga, tai chi, and deep walking in nature are only some of the useful tools in training the monkey mind to be really present and appreciative of the magic of the moment.
But what if the pain is so deep that every moment alone is a place of torture?
Anyone who has experienced the pain of losing a loved one, the trauma of a break-up or divorce, financial disaster, the loss of a job or a life-threatening diagnosis will know that during such moments you need more than ever stable relationships and community to help navigate the crisis. Sometimes it is just important for another being to be present, holding a hand in silent compassion.
Human connection is fundamental
Human connection is fundamental to your well-being. It’s easier to transform pain when you feel seen, heard, and acknowledged by others. Yet, modern society’s focus on individualism—liberty, personal expression, and the pursuit of a singular life purpose—has often come at the expense of community.
A study on “Social Relationships and Health” by Julianne Holt-Lunstad, Timothy B. Smith, and J. Bradley Layton (published in PLoS Medicine, 2010) revealed that that loneliness and social isolation significantly increase the risk of poor mental health and mortality. On the other hand the effects of social connections on health were found to be comparable to or greater than well-known risk factors such as smoking cessation, physical activity, and obesity management.
As social beings, we thrive in connection and falter in isolation, both mentally and physically. Yet, we find ourselves increasingly divided into opposing camps of “us” versus “them.” Strong religious and political ideologies—sometimes addictive in their nature—further deepen these divides, often fueled by external influences with hidden agendas. The rise of religious orthodoxy and political extremism underscores this growing fragmentation, creating artificial “tribal” communities that exclude rather than include.
The innate universal human quality for compassion, is frequently sacrificed on the altar of rigid beliefs and superficial differences. They are amplified by external forces, clouding the ability to see a shared humanity.
Yet there is a path back to serving both the true self and community – solitude. Taking even a few minutes each day to disconnect from the noise can ground you, fostering self-compassion, and reignite your capacity for love.
When you cultivate self-love, you naturally extend that same compassion and energy outward, treating others with greater understanding and kindness.
True connection begins within. By rediscovering our compassionate nature, we can bridge the divides and reclaim the value of community.
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.
For centuries, organized religion shaped people’s beliefs, provided meaning, and defined purpose in life. However, in today’s increasingly secular world, political parties are stepping into this void, offering a “gospel” that vilifies and divides.
Genuine political debate and the exchange of ideas have taken a back seat, as leaders of political movements are elevated to “cult” status, portrayed as messianic figures who claim to hold the ultimate truth.
Political cults manipulate and coerce
Many self-proclaimed religious prophets and sects inevitably faded into obscurity amid financial scandals and sexual abuse. Political cults meanwhile seem to have a field day seek in coercing followers into submission while draining them of their material resources.
Cult members are notorious for defending and excusing the misdeeds, bad behavior, and extravagance of their leaders. Devotion becomes an addiction to belief. Identity is entirely tied to cult membership.
It is only after a long process of “detoxification” that individuals may realize that true happiness cannot be outsourced. No one else is responsible for creating your happiness or unhappiness—ultimately, it is the choices you make that shape a fulfilling life..
The similarities between organized religion and political parties with a cult-like following are compelling. They both provide members with community, identity and a sense of belonging. Membership of a “tribe” shapes your friendships and beliefs. Political ideologies can become just as dogmatic as religious orthodoxy, with little room for compromise or divergent views.
The political cult uses party symbols, flags, and slogans in a similar way as religious iconography, reinforcing group identity and loyalty.
In the “Us vs. Them Mentality” political cults foster a binary division between “us” (the faithful) and “them” (the heretical or the non-believers). It ultimately leads to increased division and social fragmentation.
Historical parallels
In the mid 20th-century the fascist movements in Italy and Germany took on religious-like fervor. Mussolini and Hitler were literally worshipped as messianic figures, built around powerful symbols such as swastikas, chanting of slogans at mass rallies with oaths of allegiance.
History teaches us that when organized religion retreats into orthodoxy and forms a toxic alliance with political radicalism, the consequences are devastating.
The Thirty Years’ War (1618–1648) was one of the most destructive and complex conflicts in European history, involving many of the major powers and resulting in significant political, social, and religious upheavels across the continent. While starting out as an ideological conflict between Catholics and Protestants, it was also driven by political, dynastic, and territorial ambitions.
The conflict was only solved in The Peace of Westphalia treaty establishing the principle of religious tolerance within the Holy Roman Empire, effectively ending large-scale religious wars in Europe. This came after The Holy Roman Empire lost between 15-20 percent of its population. In some regions, such as Germany, where most of the fighting took place, certain areas lost up to half of their inhabitants.
Most concerning are current development in countries such as the United States and India where religious fundamentalism forms an alliance with political radicalism. There is a breakdown of democracy, intolerance of dissent, a breakdown in constructive dialogue, and ultimately social fragmentation and disintegration.
A political religion is centered on building a tribe of like-minded followers who can be swayed and manipulated by those seeking power and personal gain. While it fosters a sense of identity and community, it demands unwavering loyalty to its self-constructed ideology, silencing dissent and, in the end, stripping the followers of their freedom and happiness.
The 13th-century Mystic Meister Eckart, in warning of the false prophets, said: “Let us observe first, therefore, that there are some who follow God. These are the perfect. Others walk close by God, at His side. These are the imperfect. But there are others who run in front of God, and these are the wicked.”
The new “cosmic” religion
Albert Einstein envisioned a new “cosmic religion” not tied to any particular religious creed or doctrine. Instead of being bound to specific religious institutions or deities, the “cosmic religion” would be rooted in a sense of awe, wonder, and reverence for the universe itself—what he called the “cosmic mystery.”
Einstein felt that science, by revealing the beauty, interconnection and complexity of nature, could evoke a profound spiritual response, that could unify humanity beyond traditional religious divides. He emphasized moral responsibility, interconnectedness, and an appreciation for the mysteries of existence, without reliance on traditional religious structures or personal gods.
Experiential spirituality in contrast to organized religion is rooted in direct, personal experience of the divine, or a sense of connection to the universe. It is an inward, subjective journey where each individual seeks their own spiritual truths through spiritual practises such as meditation, deep walking in nature and personal reflection. Individual spiritual experience is the ultimate authority.
Happiness is a state of mind
Happiness is a state of mind and perspective. Most humans spend a large portion of their day thinking of that which was and is no more or in anxiousness and fear of an uncertain future. A negative mindset opens your mind to manipulation by external forces. The only reality is the present moment.
What do you have in your life for which you can be truly grateful?
Why not practice a gratitude ritual for the small blessings and miracles of life? What brings you authentic joy and happiness?
If you have electricity, clean water, a roof over your head, and food on the table, you are incredibly fortunate compared to a significant portion of humanity. These basic amenities, which many take for granted in developed parts of the world, remain out of reach for millions of people globally.
Access to these resources gives you much better economic security and educational opportunities. You have the ability to improve your life and the lives of future generations. You are fortunate to have greater freedom to pursue personal goals, education, and self-improvement, and don’t need to struggle for survival like most people on earth.
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.
In London’s Westminster Cathedral stands a strikingly beautiful statue of Our Lady of Walsingham, emanating timeless grace, peace, and compassion.
The Marian shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham, located in Norfolk, England, traces its origins back to the early 11th century. Known as “England’s Nazareth,” it became one of the most significant and ancient pilgrimage sites in the country.
Known as the „Walsingham Way,” countless pilgrims visited the Holy House with a wooden statue of the Virgin Mary as a focal point of contemplation. It was a time when monasteries and shrines connected medieval pathways in a powerful matrix throughout Europe.
But in 1538 Henry VIII ordered the Walsingham statue to be taken to London and destroyed. As part of his break from Catholicism, monasteries were dissolved, pillaged and pilgrimages prohibited.
Only in recent times, the Walsingham pilgrimage path has been revived now officially forming part of the network of pilgrimage paths to Santiago de Compostela in Spain.
The shrine in Walsingham has regained its medieval significance, often referred to as the “English Lourdes” because of its central place in Catholic and Anglican devotion in England.
Pilgrims to Walsingham seek healing, spiritual guidance, and a deepened relationship with the Virgin Mary. It remains a place of great spiritual renewal for many, with visitors walking the Holy Mile, a traditional part of the pilgrimage route.
The beautiful statue of the Walsingham Lady in Westminster Cathedral was commissioned by Cardinal Griffin in 1954 and sculpted by Pius Dapre. For many years it remained hidden and almost unknown in the Cathedral Crypt until it was recovered.
Mystery still surrounds the original wooden shrine which may have never been burned and destroyed as ordered by Henry VIII.
An article recently published in The Catholic Herald quoted art historians as saying that The Langham Madonna, a battered 13th-century English statue in London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, is in fact the original statue of Our Lady of Walsingham.
There were no eyewitness accounts that the statue was actually destroyed in London, according to the historians but hidden by Catholic loyalists until it reappeared centuries later in the museum.
Throughout history, countless myths, legends, and mysteries have surrounded the figure of the Goddess—whether Mary, Brigid, Kali, Isis or others—appearing and reappearing in various forms. At times, she has been revealed as a beautiful statue, carved from wood, stone, or marble, inspiring the creation of shrines, monasteries, or cathedrals at the place of her discovery.
Mary, in particular, has been known to appear in sacred apparitions at sites like Walsingham, Lourdes, and Fatima—places where the veil between worlds seems thin. Regardless of whether one is a believer, agnostic, or of another faith, her presence has been tied to stories of miracles that defy logic. Yet, time and again, she has brought comfort, solace, and peace to those facing pain and confusion.
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.
Check out also the recent episode on the Living to BE podcast and Youtube with our special guest Matt O’Neill. The topic: Happiness is a Choice.
In a world plagued by anger and fear, the pursuit of happiness is primarily directed toward external gratification and distractions, causing much pain. Now, more than ever, it is crucial to seek quiet moments of solitude to rediscover true meaning, purpose, and a life of bliss.
The ancient Mystics often interpret the voice of the divine as coming in a whisper, a still voice within the soul, giving guidance and instructions on the spiritual journey, especially when reconnecting with the beauty and harmony found in nature.
Evil draws to what is other
As opposed to the wholeness and beauty of divine creation, the 13th-century Mystic Meister Eckart describes evil as essentially “accidental in its nature: it stands outside, draws and directs things outwards, distracts from inner things, draws to what is other, smacks of otherness of division, withdrawal or falling away. Evil, therefore is nothing but a defect or shortcoming.”
In experiential spirituality the divine is perceived through silent contemplation or in a state of presence and being that transcends concept and language. The Mystics understood divine truth as direct experience rather than surrender to the fixed belief and dogma of religion.
After walking the Camino de Santiago for the first time in 2006 I sensed this “something” of a mystery beyond concept and religion. I have meanwhile walked more than a dozen Caminos, which has for me become an annual retreat of inner reflection. I’ve spoken to hundreds of pilgrims on the Camino who have had a profound transformation in reconnecting with their inner voice whilst walking on this magical path.
But there are also many other ways including the creation of a “quiet space” amid the turmoil of a busy and noisy life.
Between time and eternity
Meister Eckhart describes the soul as created in a place between time and eternity:
“With its highest powers it touches Eternity, with its lower Time. To the extent that the soul is able to withdraw from Time and its concerns, the more God is revealed in it and the more God is speaking in it and by it.”
The whispers from the universe or God can be heard most clearly when the soul transcends the temporal and focuses on the eternal, turning contemplatively inward.
A life of bliss, according to Eckart, is closely aligned to living a “virtuous life” in seeking connection with the divine. Every person has a divine spark within them—a part of God that resides in the soul. A virtuous life involves living in awareness of this divine presence within and allowing it to guide one’s actions.
Eckhart emphasizes the importance of inner purity and detachment from worldly desires and attachments. For him, a virtuous life involves freeing oneself from ego, selfishness, and the distractions of the material world. This detachment allows the soul to be more receptive to God’s presence and to act from a place of divine inspiration rather than personal will.
The famous Sufi poet Rumi describes in one of his lines:
“The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you. Don’t go back to sleep.”
The subtle, quiet communication from the divine comes in moments of stillness when all the senses are sharpened to full presence.
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.
Check out also the latest episode on the Living to BE podcast and Youtube with our special guest Matt O’Neill. The topic: Happiness is a Choice
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