Spirits - Not Hocus-pocus

The great debate of soul, spirit, faith...it will never be resolved, nor should it be. Everyone on this planet has some thoughts about one or more of these words and what they mean to that individual varies so greatly. I find it absolutely facinating. A friend thinks there is more behind my fascination but that is an entirely different blog.

Just the other night we were sitting around the dinner table discussing the comparison of The Stories of Bible and The story of Frankenstein. It was a great dicsussion and I learned quite a bit about both stories. My friend was loving every moment. That type of discussion gets her going and  I really enjoyed watching her enthusiasum for it! A very faithful and yet Apologetic believer. Interesting at the least!

So starting with the last word I typed, faith, lets talk about it. (Ok, I will talk and you read!) So many people have faith or claim to! That word alone is huge and there are multiple directions to take that word for interpritation and discussion. The faith I'm discussing at this time is a person's belief that there is a God that not only created them but predetermined the believers destiny. Ok, here we go...how can someone believe in that and yet find a need to pray for guidance, clarity, support, etc. if that persons destiny has been predetermined then how does prayer factor in? I'm sincere about that question. And this is where I get stuck.

I asked our group around the table about the fact Jesus died for our sins, right? Ok, so what happened to those folks who were born and died before Christ was born and died for the believe's sins? My flippant comment was that I was glad I was born AC. I digress. (as usual)

I'm not sure, but it is safe to say that most religions have their own definition of soul, spirit and faith. In fact, that is where I get really turned upside down. Sure, everyone has their own personal and organic definition that they then MUST reconcile with their religious beliefs. (one that someone decided to assemble like minded folks and then called it religion). Do not get me started there!!!

As most of you are aware my immediate family members were raised as Catholics. My father asked permission of his mother, (out of respect), if he could convert to Catholasism. With gracious permission he was granted his request. It then was determined all of the sibling in our family would be raised as Catholics and attend Catholc school. Since I'm 12 years behind my brother and sister that idea did not position me for anything other than a regular old public education. I'm unsure of the story of why I wasn't put through the delights of a a Catholic school but I'm sure finances factored in.

So let's get on to the next word, remember we are going backward, (don't ask why, just go along), spirit! What is spirit? Is it a feeling, a belief, a presence...I find this much easier to relate to. I do believe there are types and degrees of energy that surrounds us all and surges through us all. How it manifests itself in the hosting body is a great concept and is that the spirit I speak of? Can spirit be both positive and negative? Does one who possess the positive do so by choice or chance? The same for the negative, assuming that exists, does it choose the host or visa versa. Or, let me wrench it a bit more. Does everybody have a spirit and if so, does those who possess it know they do? Is that a learned element that over time ones, "ones gets to know it?"

For me, my spirit is reflected by my actions and my words. I'm not saying I'm close to perfect but I can confidently say that I am above average when it comes to my words and actions not only matching up properly but positively as well. Here's another wrench, Karma! Of all the words I believe in Kharma is huge, in fact I believe it to be the single most life influential words I have. Now, let me clarify that my love of Kharma isn't due to the fear of retribution. The old, "what goes around comes around." My passion for that word it the idea that my positive thoughts and actions will help to benefit folks who need it most. That he driver running late to work, the gal waiting too long in line at Starbuck's, the parent becomming angry with their child unwillingness to, "do as they are told."
I'm sure I have left you with doubt, confusion and perhaps so anger. I don't follow a religeous structure, nor do I see things with those hypnotizing glasses they hand out before mass on Sunday. I
do not harbor any judgement. I never will. Until you have been judged you'll never understand the
impact it carries with it.

Last and certainly not last is the word soul. Big word, does your definition measure up? Is ones soul
similar to spirt of entirely different? I liken my soul to the freedom it is given upon my physical death to continue onward to who knows where? Reincarnation? To replace one that a living being has never received aor lost it duringbacnear death experience? Oh, so many questions to get answers to, if the 
exist that is.