Prohibitions

Why are certain things prohibited? Why impose restrictions? Could a prohibition be a sign of Love?

Photo by Marcial Bollinger on Unsplash

When we are children, we use to hear the word no a lot. For example:

• Do not put your finger in the socket.
• Don't bite your brother.
• Do not take cold.
• Don't go there because it's dangerous.
• Do not do it.
• Do not do that.

Parents use a list of prohibitions to save and protect their children from the evils that could befall them as a result of certain actions.

The younger the child, the less able to understand the extent to which certain attitudes can generate. The parents, then, do not negotiate. They impose prohibitions to preserve themselves from dangers and suffering, both to themselves and to those around them.

As the child matures, the ability to understand grows. The more mature, the greater the sense of the relationship between cause and effect.

Not putting the finger in the socket makes sense because the shock will cause pain. Not biting the brother is understandable because, in addition to causing pain in the other, there may be retaliation. Not taking cold protects you from getting sick and bedridden.

In summary, that list of prohibitions has the character of preserving pain and evil, a sign that parents care and love their children.

A balanced life

When Humanity was in its infancy, out of barbarism, God, Father of infinite love, sent, through Moses, a list of rules for a more balanced life and a harmonious coexistence on Earth.

This list contains the Ten Commandments and, among them, several prohibitions:

1. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
2. You will not kill.
3. You will not commit adultery.
4. You will not steal.
5. You will not say false testimony against your neighbor.
6. You will not want the next man's wife.
7. You shall not covet your neighbor's house, nor his servant, nor his handmaid, nor his ox, nor his donkey, or anything else that belongs to him.

At that time, Humanity was unable to understand the scope of these rules.

It was not aware that these commandments brought the essence of the Divine Laws, the only knowledge necessary for happiness. God has put these laws in our own consciences to guide us towards good. With discernment, we know what we must or not do and are guided to happiness when we follow them, or to unhappinness whenever we violate them.

In the same way that some children defy their parents and violate the rules suffering later, many of us also refuse to follow the Divine Laws. Our immaturity and rebellion against these laws is what causes sufferings for ourselves and for others around us.

Final Thoughts

The only way to live a peaceful and happy life is to not see these prohibitions as authoritarian, but as proof of love.

Those who don't fight with God and its Laws, know that doing so will only make them suffer. They understand that God is a loving Father, waiting for His children (us) to mature and to love and understand these Laws that rule the Earth and the whole Universe.

And God knows that when that happens, no prohibition will be necessary as human beings will act with conscience always aiming for the good of everything and everyone.

Adapted from Momento Espírita, originally published on April 19, 2016

See Also

• The Power of Love
• Weighted observation
• The most important bridge
• Bridge of Life
• A Thinking Power
• Divine Poem

Preserving our Home

Preserving our planet starts with small steps. Everyday. From each of us.

Photo by NASA on Unsplash

A few decades ago, deforestation became a serious problem in our planet.

Today, our environmental conscience has improved and it's common to see that in many places, people  create formulas for reforestation.

Thailand found a peculiar way to recover deforested areas. The Asian country innovated, using military planes to bomb its forests with reforestation bombs. The planes carried seeds from local trees, along with a mixture of clay, earth and compost, which facilitates their germination. These seeds are fully prepared to become giant trees.

The project, started in 2016, is expected to span five years, according to the Thai government. The author of the idea was the Japanese Masanubo Fukuoka whose the technique was perfected, allowing the country to return to nature what was taken from it.

With this method, it is estimated that almost one million trees could be planted daily.

A plan that sows hope for a despoiled planet, a land exhausted by excessive exploitation by its most illustrious inhabitant, man. The same man who now realizes that if he does not care for mother Earth, soon he will no longer have a home, a shelter, a world to live.

Preserving the Environment

For some of us, it may all seem like utopia. The Earth is not heading for any ecological disaster think those who live in places where water, light, food are abundant.

However, every day, the storms that plague certain communities, the climate that seems to have gone mad tell us that it is now up to us to, urgently fix the problems we created as fast as possible.

The alerts are being given, on a constant basis by Mother Earth. Intense cold in places never before invaded by such low temperatures, excessive heat in other locations.

Preserving and safeguarding the environment is fundamental to maintaining the health of the planet, ensuring our own survival. Every effort to protect natural resources, the soil, the water, the air must be considered.

Doing our part

It is time to understand that each of us should look to be content with the necessary. Without wanting too much, without usurping, without forcing, without attacking Earth.

To live we need air, water and generous food. Let us not allow our greed to pollute the atmosphere, destroy the forests and despoil the land.

Our part can be done, wherever we are. After all, who can't plant a tree or help protect existing ones? Who could not reduce food waste, recycle, participate in conscious disposal and collaborate with garbage collection helping to avoid the critical problem of garbage waste we are already in?

Final Thoughts

Any act that harms nature is the result of excessive selfishness and ambition.

Each of us can start now with simple actions to collaborate. Avoid wasting water, wasting food, wasting electricity, reducing extreme consumerism, recycling more and educating our children with concrete examples to do the same.

Think about it!

Adapted from Momento Espírita, originally published on October 19, 2019.

See Also

• The Power of Love
• Weighted observation
• The most important bridge
• Bridge of Life
• A Thinking Power
• Divine Poem

The next big revolution

The next big revolution is already here, in our homes. Would you like to be part of it?

Photo by Piron Guillaume on Unsplash

In silence, the grandmother watched the behavior of her three and four-year-old grandchildren, in front of their father's notebook.

From where she was, she could see the little hands acting on the keys.

She noticed, surprised, the calm way in which the boy taught the little girl to find, on the Internet, the cartoon she wanted to watch.

As a good teacher, he indicated what she should do, letting her press the keys while searching of what she wanted, leaving her little fingers until she succeeded.

Then she turned to her brother and said: Thank you! It's easy. I've already figured out how to do it. You can leave that with me now. I can do it alone...

Checking the speed of learning and the resourcefulness of the little girl, the grandmother started to think about her own limitations with some of the current technologies. She recalled the difficulties in finding the right keys, memorizing the actions, answering an email, sending a message.

Impressive, she concluded, how easy it is for the little ones to absorb the news, adapt and interact with technology. She rested her eyes on the magazine and returned to her article.

The next big revolution

The next big revolution will not be technological. Instead, It will be moral, and led by evolving humans who are currently in our homes, in our laps!

This generation of humans is very different. They are very fast in their cognition. Deeper in their way of translating the world and feelings. And his notion of ethics and morals is more refined than ours.

In fact, today we often see scenes of great respect and, spontaneously, among children. The affection shown with animals, plants, sick and poor leaves us in awe.

And these awake-minded little ones, who learn everything around them will take real advantage of science and technology. They are souls who bring in themselves the elements for transformation, for the true revolution that will take place on Earth, for the benefit of all.

Moral revolution, in which the ethics they bring vigorously will spread, nullifying the current human hypocrisy.

Final Thoughts

We need to ask ourselves what kind of parents we are. How we are educating those souls who come into our arms, for the goodness of Heavenly Father.

May we be able to give the necessary support and much love to this generation because we will be responsible for the tone and gift that they will use in this revolution!

Fathers and mothers, may we value the trust of the Heavenly Creator, who gave us his children, possibly able to transform the Earth's scenery.

For this very reason, from the cradle, we need to offer them examples of the good, of love, of respect, so that you do not deviate from the planned route. We need to lead them to school, offer them precious instruction, let them express themselves in art, in science and sport.

However, above all, let us not forget to teach them to pronounce the name of God with anointing. Teach them to elevate their thoughts in prayer so they can learn how to dialogue with the Father and Creator by themselves.

Adapted from Momento Espírita, originally published on April 23, 2016.

See Also

• The Power of Love
• Weighted observation
• The most important bridge
• Bridge of Life
• A Thinking Power
• Divine Poem

Courage

The moment we live is of great challenges. Do we have courage to bear all the challenges we face? 

Photo by Oliver Cole on Unsplash

The moment we now live on Earth is of great challenges, requiring a lot of courage, to behave according to the Divine Laws.

Courage to maintain honesty when almost everything around us conspires against the right attitudes.

Courage not to strike back at the blows of insanity, maintaining understanding and praying the blessings of heaven for your unbalanced brother.

Courage not to deviate from humility and integrity when, with power in our hands, we do not allow pride and selfishness to take over.

Courage to cultivate moderation and patience when we realize that the difficulties are getting worse.

Courage to maintain patience, even if your heart is beaten by the onslaught of cruel feelings that reach us.

Courage to preserve in serenity when the storms of discord and disagreements roar, threatening to bring us down.

Moral Courage

When we carry the Gospel of Jesus in our hearts, we know that it is not by running away from obstacles that we overcome them, but by facing them with calm, serenity and confidence. We understand that the first virtue of those who trust God is moral courage.

Courage that is necessary to achieve self-discipline to remain in balance in the face of attacks of less noble feelings and attitudes.

Courage that helps bearing difficulties with serenity, making the necessary efforts to overcome them.

Courage to persevere in the face of difficulties, without allowing ourselves to give up.

Our journey, in this life, reserves us many paths to travel, but the peace and happiness that we long for, will only be built with inner courage. And it is this courage that will determine when and how we will achieve our inner improvement, which will be reflected in our individual fulfillment.

The greater the achievement, the calmer our attitudes will be, helping us continue our personal journey.

Final Thoughts

Faced with the most embarrassing situations of his material life, Jesus endured all the injuries, all the humiliations that were inflicted on him, maintaining the purity of the high ideal for which he endeavored to the extreme sacrifice.

Let us have the courage to act like Him, maintaining serenity and moving on.

Let us have compassion of those who have lost their faith and stumbled upon violence.

Let us look at those who despaired and were lost in the revolt.

Let us keep in mind that true courage arises from resilience and calm in times of challenge, suffering and imbalance.

Let us protect ourselves in good. When we are about to utter any thoughtless phrase or take the least action against others, let us pray and be silent because heaven hears us. God will always sustain us in our good efforts.

Adapted from Momento Espírita, originally published on April 07, 2018.

See Also

• The Power of Love
• Weighted observation
• The most important bridge
• Bridge of Life
• A Thinking Power
• Divine Poem