Whether we realise it or not we are all firmly planted on a spiritual path. The paths are varied, unique and as individual as our personalities. Sometimes it seems that some of us have taken a side-track, perhaps even a dead-end, yet all paths lead us back to our origins. Our paths are experienced through our feelings, all of which, painful and pleasant, add to the great treasure store-house of our emotional experiences. All experiences are valid.

There are those who think that life has no meaning or purpose, that we are born, live a short or long life, and die. That's it. That's all there is, there's nothing more, finito. It must have been a cosmic accident, haphazard and without rhyme or reason. Well, all life has a spontaneity but there is a discernible pattern and a mathematical precision in the development of a flower, the movement of the stars and the growth of a baby into adulthood. There is an awesome, creative intelligence operating throughout the Universe. What is it? No one can tell you! Oh, we can give it a label and call it 'God' but that explains nothing, nor does it define this creative force. When we reduce it to a man-like figure in the sky our concept becomes plainly ridiculous to all but children and unregenerates. Does God have genitals? If so, why? If "He" existed before the creation of food, why does he need an alimentary tract? How can you, as the mystics do, see God in All things with such a concept?

The Australian, Aborigines acknowledge a living spirit within the billabong, the sea, the rocks, the earth and sky as well as all the animals they hunt. God is ALL THAT IS. If they call the Spirit of God which dwells within by any other name, God remains the same. Only our concepts change.

As the early Father of the Christian Church wrote that we, as Children of God have "from the beginning been immortal and children of eternal life. You destroy death, and you destroy the world without yourselves being destroyed. You are Lords of the Universe and of all that is mortal". Mortal is that which 'dies'.

Now, if we are, indeed, Children of God, are already immortal and have eternal life it means that everything that our religions have taught us could be wrong. Is not that a beautiful thing? It would mean that here is no such thing as sin, hell, the devil and a judgemental God. It would mean that our religions are wrong - and they are.

Now stop thinking you are miserable, wretched creatures who have to crawl on you knees 'neath the shadow of God. You will never have to do penance, you will never have to atone for your mistakes; you will have to learn from them, but punishment is not a part of it. When you understand that nothing ever dies, only the embodiment, the 'space suit' of physical form, you will then know that God is never absent from the most beautiful events, nor from the most hideous crimes. There is only an acceptance or denial of God with all things. Therein lies all the joy and all the suffering of the physical plane.