If we are to make real changes in our lives, we have to confront what we have become politically, socially, spiritually and economically. The work of Meilena Hauslendale takes us spiritually towards that place. This article is a meditation sparked by her work as well as leading to an interview the author did with her on Envision This!

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Give them the stone of Sophia and you'll find philosophy gone.

And, what's left?

The stone!

Goethe

The question of religion and spirituality are huge ones today. Many claim they are spiritual and not religious. Others lock themselves into idealistic boxes such as Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, Jew, or Pagan. Others believe themselves to be atheist. And what is the actual meaning of the term, a-theistic?

To truly be a-theistic (without theories of God) is the same as being without a philosophy. In reality, a-theism is moving beyond theories, theologies, and philosophies. This is in line with what Goethe says in the above quotation. What passes as atheism today is actually anti-theism. Talk about locking yourself in an adversarial box with those you most hate!

Wisdom (Sophia) is the ridding ourselves of our philosophical boxes. Hey, philosophy means "Lover of Sophia!" If we must have a philosophy, let us cry out an ecstatic "YES" to life.

What joins theism and philosophy? They are both idealisms. So is our modern day atheist. An atheist is a person who holds an Ism that discounts the theisms of the church. Thus, an atheist is ultimately locked in a philosophical box just as much as any doctrinaire religionist is. Let us lay all ISMs to rest so we can live-and-let-live.

This ridding ourselves of idealism is a noble cause. Think for yourself and stop attending to the Wizard on Stage (if the reference to the Wizard (of Oz) perks your interest, visit my article that speaks to that story (link).

Could we then define religion as idealism? Yes, we could. Churches are full of ideals. (The L in "ideals" puts a lock on ideas and locks out all those who disagree with the judgments of almighty YOU!) If you are of a church organization, they call these ideals "theologies". A theology is a thought system. Thought systems are philosophies. They turn us into know-it-alls.

And Goethe says, "get past all this!?"

Wait! He's one of those darn anarchists!

Yes, philosophy is exactly what anarchists are trying to get beyond. Why?

Look around. How many wars and "rumors of war" have we been in during your lifetime? Don't count WWII if you were not alive. Do not count Korea or even Vietnam. Do count the time you were in-utero as well as the time after you moved out of your Mom's womb. And do count the "wars" on terrorism or drugs that place us in a legitimized position to wreak violence on those who are other-ists.

I'm 60 and can count on my right hand the number of years there has been peace. Wait, I did the experiment during a break from the writing. This can't be right! I don't have any fingers up! Indeed, as I checked this out, I only had a half a finger dangling nervously in the air. (Yes, I am counting rumors of war, or what many call rabble rousing).

"Wars and rumors of wars" The Bible states regarding end times. Are these the end times? I hope so. Personally I'm tired of this top-down rule of the elite. I am with those working toward a conscious evolution to a whole new humanity.

I do want to comment on the end times. First, the end of time is the eternal Now. All times are Now therefore past and future are simply manifestations of a memory or projection that is produced in the Now. We are NEVER out of the Now. We are always in this Present. (Interesting that present means here and now as well as being a gift. An accident? I don't think so).

So, instead of being present oriented, what is western civilization all about? I would venture forth the answer "Idealism." Many of us become excited upon seeing the term "idealism". It speaks to perfection. An ideal is always perfect (finished, with no more to be learned or improved"static"dead?) Thus, when the Preacher up on the pedestal starts rampaging on sin, then he is saying the sinner is not being ideal.

Well, let us be perfect! Ok, God knows we are not perfect and forgives us. So, if He wanted us perfect, why in the hell didn't He make us perfect? He must not be perfect if we are not perfect, can He? We are in His image, remember? Oh, ok, He does it as a test and if you don't pass His test you are sent into an eternity of torture in Hell. Makes sense to me. Yes, and right beside that know in your heart that God loves you!

These are all ideas. They are the crux of idealism. They are not created by God but by our own ego. Infinity for example would never count itself as a jealous God. If you are infinite; then of what would you be jealous?

Ultimately, our reality is a pile of thought waves/vapors arising like steam (hot air?) from our brains.

Yes, "to bind together" can be defined as an assembly of like-minded people. This is nothing less that a grouping of human beings who are emitting primarily similar thought waves and vapors from their brains.

But is this religion? Somewhat, I would answer. Assembly with others is indeed a wonderful thing. So is making love. This too is an assembly and in my opinion is more religious than any church doctrine going.

Yet, assembly often leads to conformity, surrender to the almighty "norm". This is NOT what we need at this point. Conformity leads us to remaining in the status quo. We can't afford that at this time in our history. We need to step outside the box.

The question becomes whether religion should be defined as "an institutionalized congregation of like--minded folks." This would fit the epistemological roots of religion, which is "to bind together".

Yet, could there be more?!

For example, binding together could also entail making love, playing with a child, swimming or soaking up the sunshine. These too speak to a sense of connectivity and wholeness. And what is a sense of wholeness if not holiness?

There are many people who are currently challenging mainstream spirituality and other 'ISMs'. I consider myself as one of them. Meilena Hauslendale is another.

Meilena is author of The Spiritual Revolution: Guide to Spiritual Development and Independence and several other books. She is a Psychic Clairvoyant Medium and Reiki Master. She works with Spirit Guides to help deliver messages that are important for your growth and of your highest of greater good.

Meilena says, "Spirituality is about being present. It is about being aware of the power we hold within ourselves. We are a part of something even bigger than our own comprehension. There is a great deal of purpose that even we ourselves may never fully come to know. It is up to us to do our part and to develop ourselves on the level we are now, so that as a universe we may increase our vibrations, and rise above."

In so doing, we can do our part in developing ourselves. We are all fetuses unfolding ourselves in every second of our lives. The womb or container of this unfolding is simply this planet, this plane of existence, if you will. In our work within ourselves, we affect all.

Where are our spiritual gifts? In the present. The present IS our present (gift). Sit with that for a while. Sitting with that, you receive Meilena's gift.

Meilena invites us to become part of a spiritual revolution "in which people will break free from the old foundations, sustaining the universal commons, but carrying them out as individual acts of intuition, instead of group doctrines. This is the coming of age, when people dare to step outside of the realms that they were once bound to, and breathe the fresh air of the truth. One in which is not dictated to them by human sources, but by spiritual."

To listen to Meilena's interview on Envision This!, visit:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/envision-this/2015/05/06/becoming-part-of-the-spiritual-revolution-with-meilena-hauslendale

Meilena's website is: http://nurturedspirit.com

Her writings are listed at: http://nurturedspirit.com/category/books/

Authors Bio:
Burl Hall is a retired counselor who is living in a Senior Citizen Housing apartment. Burl has one book to his credit, titled "Sophia's Web: A Passionate Call to Heal our Wounded Nature." For more information, search the book on Amazon.

Burl's philosophy entails the idea that "everything effects and causes everything thing else." His spirituality of Sophia i.e., Wisdom is universal as well as within each of us. He also sees the idea of Chaos as not being "all over the place" but as infinite relationships.

The question I present in my articles speak not so much towards the politicians, but how WE the people can empower ourselves within a planet that is healthy, wealthy and wise.