EMBRACING SELF-WORTH: THE VIRTUE OF NOT COMPARING ONESELF TO OTHERS

In a world where social media and societal standards often dictate our sense of self-worth, it is all too easy to fall into the trap of comparing ourselves to others. We see curated snapshots of lives that seem perfect, filled with possessions and achievements that we believe we lack. However, the true measure of a person is not found in what they own, but in their values, integrity, and the unique qualities they bring to the world. Embracing self-worth and confidence, without the need for comparison, is a virtue that can lead to a more fulfilling and authentic life.

Every individual is inherently endowed with a set of unique qualities and talents. These attributes are the foundation of our identity and self-worth. When we focus on what makes us distinct, we begin to appreciate the richness of our own character. This self-awareness fosters confidence and a sense of purpose that cannot be shaken by external comparisons. It is essential to remember that our value is not diminished by the successes or possessions of others. Instead, our worth is intrinsic, rooted in who we are and the values we uphold.

One of the most significant virtues we can cultivate is honesty. Being truthful with ourselves and others builds trust and respect, which are far more valuable than any material possession. Honesty is a cornerstone of integrity, another vital quality that defines our character. Living with integrity means acting consistently with our values, even when no one is watching. It means making choices that align with our principles, and this steadfastness earns us a good name and the respect of those around us.

A good name, built on the foundation of honesty and integrity, is one of the most precious assets one can possess. Unlike material wealth, which can be lost or diminished, a good reputation endures. It opens doors, creates opportunities, and fosters relationships that are built on mutual respect and trust. When we focus on developing and maintaining a good name, we shift our attention from fleeting possessions to lasting values.

Encouraging ourselves and others to stop comparing and start valuing is a powerful step toward personal growth. It allows us to appreciate our journey and the progress we make, no matter how small it may seem in comparison to others. Each person’s path is unique, and what might seem like a minor achievement to one could be a significant milestone to another. Celebrating these individual victories fosters a sense of accomplishment and encourages continuous self-improvement.

It is also important to recognize that everyone has their struggles and insecurities, often hidden behind the facade of success. By comparing ourselves to others, we only see a fraction of their reality, often overlooking the challenges they face. Understanding this helps us to be kinder to ourselves and others, fostering a sense of empathy and compassion.

In conclusion, the virtue of not comparing oneself to others lies in the recognition and appreciation of our intrinsic worth. By focusing on our unique qualities, values, and the integrity of our actions, we can build a strong foundation of self-confidence and self-respect. Embracing who we are, rather than who we are not, allows us to lead a life of authenticity and fulfillment. Remember, our true value is not measured by what we possess, but by the honesty, integrity, and good name we cultivate through our actions and choices.

A SENSE OF RIGHT AND WRONG

People often have different perspectives on various issues, leading to a broad spectrum of views on what is right and wrong. However, does this diversity of viewpoints mean that all views are valid? If we say that each viewpoint is valid, then we are saying that no one is right or wrong; it is only a matter of having different views  of the same subject. While this principle promotes tolerance and understanding, it has its limitations and cannot be applied universally without leading to moral chaos.

When addressing how individuals should perceive and judge issues, it is essential to rely on the inner core, the spirit, rather than solely on the reasoning mind. The reasoning mind or the intellect is meant to support the spirit, not lead it. When the intellect takes precedence, it results in the moral disparities we observe across different cultures and societies. What is considered morally wrong in one region might be accepted or even celebrated in another, highlighting the inconsistencies that arise from prioritizing earthly intellect over spiritual discernment.

The spirit, in contrast, offers expressions that are uniform across all boundaries and devoid of contradiction. Presently, to remain in good standing everywhere, a person travelling the world must constantly adjust his conscience, much like changing clothes when moving from one country to another. What is considered a crime in one country may be permissible or even welcomed in another. These discrepancies are a natural consequence of basing societal values on the earthly intellect.

However, when the intellect serves its natural role as a tool of the living spirit, the situation changes. Those who listen to their spirit will adhere to the laws of God, which operate uniformly everywhere.  These laws provide a foundation that eliminates moral discrepancies, fostering uniformity that leads to happiness and peace. The expressions of the spirit, in their basic features, are always consistent and never contradictory.

In conclusion, while it is important to recognize and respect different viewpoints, not all perspectives can be deemed valid when it comes to fundamental moral issues and matters that concern the welfare and development of humanity. Reliance on the spirit, rather than the reasoning mind, ensures adherence to universal moral principles that transcend cultural and societal differences. By grounding our sense of right and wrong in spiritual discernment or intuitive perceptions, we can achieve a harmonious, consistent moral and societal framework that promotes true peace and happiness. Also, the arts of justice, healing and statesmanship will be enhanced when we infuse them with our spirituality and they will  have a better effect on mankind than hitherto.

WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ELEMENTAL BEINGS AND NATURE BEINGS?

To delve into this question, let's first establish definitions for the ELEMENTS AND NATURE.

ELEMENTS: Traditionally, the four elements are recognised as EARTH, AIR, FIRE, and WATER.

NATURE: Nature encompasses all material substance perceivable by our physical senses, including landscapes, plants, and animals. Essentially, it encompasses everything we can observe through our physical senses, excluding man-made constructs like buildings. We can deduce from the forgoing that NATURE includes the ELEMENTS mentioned ealier in addittion to plants and animals.

What entities are called Elemental beings and Nature beings? Do Elemental Beings work exclusively with the elements while Nature Beings occupy themselves with other aspects of Nature, such as plants and animals?

Nature beings and Elemental beings are conscious substantiate beings that work together within the World of Matter. They are many  and include the elves, gnomes, nixies, etc. These elemental and nature beings were the necessary preparation for the further development towards the eventual creation of matter; for matter could come into existence only in unison with Substantiality. The elemental and nature beings had to co-operate creatively in the developing World of Matter just as they still do today.

Now let us consider the elements EARTH, AIR, FIRE, and WATER and their related ELEMENTALS BEINGS. The gnomes (with male forms)  work with earth and rocks; the nixies/water-sprites (with female forms)  work with the water element, the sylphs work with the air, and the salamanders work with the fire element.  

Then there are the NATURE BEINGS that are engaged with stones, plants, and similar aspects of nature. We can extend this category to include various natural features like mountains, forests, flowers, meadows, and animals. So,for example  we have the flower-elves who work with flowers and owing to their delicacy have female forms and, because they are attuned to the Light, they are of the most exquisite beauty. No wonder flowers are beautiful! Then there are also tree elves which have male forms according to their activity in dealing with a harder material.  Mountains also have nature beings that protects and tend them.

Having made this distiction between the NATURE BEINGS and the ELEMENTAL BEINGS, we need to note and remember that the ELEMENTAL BEINGS also relate with animals and plants and are not restricted to the elements alone. Afterall,  the elements--earth, water, fire and air help to nurture plants and animals!  Elemental beings can  communicate with animals, warning them of impending natural events. Ultimately the work of the Nature Beings and the Elemental Beings in as much as they bring benefit to plants an animals, they bring immeasurable benefit to man as well. Indeed man cannot live on this planet without the work of the elemental and nature beings.

Conclusion: The elemental beings and nature beings work together hand in hand and  deal with everything we see in NATURE. Nature encompasses everything we see in the world except man-made things. Nature includes the elements of EARTH, AIR, FIRE, and WATER and also plants and animals. The activities of the elemental beings and nature beings are so inter-related that one cannot demarcate them strictly. Indeed one may refer to all of them collectively as NATURE BEINGS!

Our take-away:  We need to recognise the existence of the elemental and nature beings even if we do not see them with our physical eyes. Let us acknowledge their work as helpers and appreciate them in thought when we behold the wonders of NATURE. Let us give thanks to our Creator as we do so. The elemental beings and nature beings indeed the very tiniest one of them are immensely important and more reliable in their activity than a human spirit. They carry out the work assigned to them with unimaginable accuracy. Bearing all of these in mind, we should therefore  strive in all earnestness to become in our deeds like these helpers we have discussed today who in their faithful service are an example for us!

WHAT IS THE SACRIFICE FOR SINS?

If one subscribes to the belief that the Saviour sacrificed himself for the expiation of humanity's sins, it is imperative to delve deeper into the ramifications of such thought  by considering the following:-

It is often said that the wages of sin is death. However death in this context transcends mere physical death but means eternal damnation, a fate that entails being erased from the Book of Life! The bodies of those who have turned their backs on sin  and that of those who relish sin will undergo physical death. So, physical death is not a punishment for sins neither can an enforced killing of one person be a sacrifice for the sins of another. 

To atone for the sins of others, an individual would hypothetically need to endure not only physical death but also spiritual annihilation. However, such a fate is inconceivable for the Saviour, who remains eternally pure and in unity with the Divine. Moreover, the laws of creation forbid that a person dies in place of another. 

Therefore the Saviour could not have paid for the sins of humanity. His true mission lies in the dissemination of the Word of Life, which serves as the beacon of salvation for all.

For humanity, the path to redemption lies in genuine repentance and a steadfast commitment to doing only what is good. Embracing the Word of Truth and adhering to its teachings is the key to absolving oneself of sin and finding spiritual enlightenment.

In essence, the journey towards redemption is simple yet profound, requiring us to align our actions with the the laws of creation, living for the truth and doing only what is good. That is the path to the forgiveness of sins, the path to atonement, the path to eternal life!

UNDERSTANDING SIN: A SPIRITUAL PERSPECTIVE

Sin, at its core, is the act of going against the Divine Will, an infringement upon the Laws of Creation. It manifests when individuals stray from the path set forth by spiritual guidance, instead allowing their intellect to dictate their actions. However, discerning the Divine Will requires a spiritual awakening, where one's spirit becomes the guiding force over their intellect.

Historically, humanity has witnessed an imbalance in the development of intellect, leading to what can be termed as a hereditary sin. This inclination towards earthly matters, driven by the dominance of intellect, diverts attention away from God and universal laws. It encompasses thoughts, words, or actions that contradict the laws of creation, driven solely by selfish intellectual calculations to the detriment of others. These manifestations of sin include greed, excessive sensuality, falsehoods, gossip, lack of self-discipline, and more.

The consequence of this deviation is evident in the disparity of moral standards across different cultures and societies. What is deemed sinful in one region may be accepted or even celebrated in another. Such discrepancies are a result of prioritizing earthly intellect over spiritual discernment.

True adherence to the Laws of God necessitates listening to the spirit, allowing it to guide thoughts and actions. When spiritual principles form the foundation, there exists a harmonious consistency, fostering happiness and peace. The expressions of the spirit remain uniform across all boundaries, devoid of contradiction.

In essence, sin arises when individuals prioritize earthly intellect over spiritual enlightenment. By reconnecting with the spirit and aligning with the Divine Will, humanity can transcend the confines of sin and embrace universal laws that promote harmony and unity.

THE PASSING OF CHIEF SMART OWONIKOKO-DECENCY.

He was a formidable business tycoon, a London-trained accountant hailing from a prominent Lagos family. Known for his blunt demeanor and fierce ambition, he was nonetheless meticulous in his dealings, achieving great success in business without compromising fairness. Inheriting the family company from his late father, Chief Smart Owonikoko-Decency (Chief Smart) propelled it to unprecedented heights, with the business's value soaring to over N120 billion ($80 million) during his tenure as Chief Executive of the Owonifaari Group. Seizing opportunities in supporting services for Nigeria's burgeoning telecommunications industry following the country's return to democracy, he further expanded his enterprise's scope.

Chief Smart's passing at the age of 86, attributed to renal failure by his wife, Mrs. Jelenke Owonikoko-Decency (Jelenke), marked the end of an era for the business community.

To Chief Smart's utter surprise and confusion, as he departed from his physical body, he found himself observing his discarded form lying on the hospital bed, while simultaneously perceiving himself in a different, more refined body. It was a surreal experience, witnessing his wife Jelenke's tears and lamentations over his passing, as she knelt by the bedside. Two devoted nurses and the lead doctor/consultant, who had tirelessly strived to keep him alive, offered her solace.

In the corner of the exclusive private room in the highbrow hospital where he had spent the last month battling his ailment, Chief Smart's son, Ariwo-ola, stood calmly. Despite the gravity of the situation, Ariwo-ola appeared contemplative, his thoughts evidently drifting toward the future of the Owonifaari Group business, which he envisaged continuing from where his father left off. Chief Smart couldn't help but feel a pang of shock and disappointment as he realised that his son, unlike the others in the room, seemed more preoccupied with the business than with his father's passing.

In this transcendent state, Chief Smart found himself endowed with a newfound ability to perceive people's thoughts clearly, offering him some insight into their innermost feelings and intentions.

Meanwhile, Jelenke remained inconsolable despite Chief Smart's attempts. Drawing closer to her, he reiterated that he was still alive, urging her to cease her weeping. However, Jelenke remained unresponsive, her sobs unabated. Placing his arms around her shoulders in a gesture of solace, Chief Smart repeated his reassurance. Yet, Jelenke's demeanor remained unchanged.

Chief Smart was yet to fully come to terms with the fact that he was no longer working through his discarded physical body but that his finer body was the one making contact with his wife's finer form, rather than her physical body. Moreover, he remained oblivious to the fact that Jelenke, still in the flesh could not perceive his touch on her finer body. Frustrated and distressed, Chief Smart cried out to the others in the room, proclaiming his continued existence. Despite hearing his own voice and the voices of others, they remained oblivious to his presence, adding to his bewilderment.

In a state of utter despondency, Chief Smart collapsed to the ground, losing consciousness. Days later, he witnessed his own lavish funeral, astonished by the lack of compassion and the envy evident in the expressions of some attendees. Moreover, he observed with surprise how individuals he had once despised now extended well-wishes towards him in his transition.

Exhausted by the ordeal, Chief Smart drifted into sleep, only to awaken to a suffocating darkness. His attempts to call out were met with a chilling silence, devoid of the sound of his own voice. Bereft of sensation in his limbs, Chief Smart grappled with a sense of profound loneliness and hopelessness, signaling the onset of a long and arduous journey into the unknown realms beyond.

During his time on earth, Chief Smart rarely entertained matters of spiritual significance. When his son, from a tender age of seven, questioned him about life after death, Chief Smart dismissively asserted that upon his demise, his body would simply turn to dust, discouraging further inquiry into the topic. To him, such inquiries were deemed trivial and unworthy of attention, as he urged his son to focus on weightier matters.

In discussions among peers regarding the spiritual essence of life, Chief Smart's response was often laced with mocking laughter. He regarded such conversations as juvenile, asserting that his role as a businessman was solely to amass wealth for himself and his family, while also creating opportunities for the less fortunate. With an air of ambition, he expressed his desire to leave a lasting legacy as a successful entrepreneur and a benefactor to humanity.

The narrative of Chief Smart's departure unfolds as a tale of hardship and bewilderment in its initial hours. Yet, this narrative merely scratches the surface of a much deeper reality. The choices he made throughout his life on earth have led him to confront the stark consequences that now unfold before him. Despite his refusal to acknowledge the existence of an afterlife and his dismissal of spiritual matters as inconsequential, Chief Smart has no power to annul the continuation of life after his physical demise. Consequently, he now faces the daunting prospect of navigating a desolate and solitary existence in the realms beyond.

However, for those who have devoted their time on earth to acquiring knowledge about God and eternity, their awakening in the realms beyond shall be one of profound joy. The Hand of the Lord extends to us through His Word, readily available on earth today. This divine revelation illuminates the operation of God's laws in creation and offers a path to redemption from the entanglements of guilt. With a genuine comprehension of these divine laws, we can sidestep experiences akin to those endured by Chief Smart Owonikoko-Decency.

Now therefore is the time to concern ourselves solely with the Word of Truth and a clear understanding of the laws of God!

WHY ARE WE IN THIS WORLD?

Life on Earth can often seem perplexing, especially when we witness the sudden passing of someone who seemed to have it all - education, wealth, fame, and position. We question the meaning of achieving material success only to leave it all behind without fully experiencing its benefits.

Perhaps our confusion stems from our narrow pe
rspective, limited to earthly matters. Yet, there is a broader picture that offers clarity and understanding.

Consider these five points:

1. The earth represents the lowest realm within the broader Creation. Beyond our earthly existence, there exist higher planes offering humans elevated levels of joy and peace. Hence, transitioning from this earthly life to a higher sphere of existence is not abnormal, is not necessarily a punishment or a tragedy no matter how sudden or the forms the exit takes. Being human, the occurrence itself may be shocking to us, may make us sad but this does not negate the fact that life continues for the departed and they are not consigned into oblivion. It may well be that the living soul of the departed is already abiding and experiencing life in sunny meadows of this wonderful Creation! Of course, a departed one will be attracted and held fast to the area in the beyond which is similar to how his life on earth was lived.

2. The purpose of life extends beyond material success; it is about aligning with the Will of God. Without a clear understanding of our purpose in life, then life loses meaning. Recognising our path beyond this life is crucial for understanding our purpose here.

3. Our experiences on Earth are meant to lead us to spiritual maturity and a deeper understanding of God's Laws. Through these experiences, it becomes natural for individuals to serve God by adhering to His Laws. Please note this point well as it already discloses the purpose of life on earth!

4. The Laws of God orchestrate our circumstances to provide the experiences necessary for us to attain spiritual maturity and truly recognize God. Keeping this in mind, we understand that our current conditions - be it wealth or poverty, health or illness, peace or conflict, joy or sorrow - are all avenues guiding us towards a deeper understanding of God, which is the ultimate purpose of life.

5. Understanding the purpose of our lives fills us with gratitude for every moment and experience. With this understanding, we will naturally gain profound insights and eschew the pursuit of material possessions solely for personal gain. Instead, we will dedicate each moment of our lives to spiritual growth, leading to a joyful existence and the purest form of happiness.

May we all attain clarity and understanding of these matters, and may we be strengthened to gain valuable insights from the numerous experiences we encounter throughout our lives on earth daily and hourly!