It was a cool, damp and overcast day, I’ve been told, when I was born 90 years ago (November 7, 1927)–in Fayetteville, WV—with the assistance of a mid-wife. Further details are unavailable as my only information came from my oldest aunt–of the five girls born to my grandparents–who, as a first and second grade teacher in Kaymoor, WV (around the road from Fayetteville) was not present during the delivery but became aware of it only upon returning home from school and finding my older sister crying at the foot of the stairs. That same oldest sister never married or left home until long after both parents had passed. And upon living on that hill alone for many years, eventually agreed to come live in Roanoke with her sister (my mother, living with me) who also passed first, leaving her alpha and omega (the first and the last).
Thus was the beginning of my most interesting and “Sheltered” life–never having experienced any serious illness or danger of any kind to date during these adventurous 90 years!
On our comparatively brief pilgrimage through this world of matter (especially 90 years) we are highly affected by two primary sentiments, joy and pain. No human being can escape being touched by either or both. When sadness visits us we become weakened as comprehension and intelligence diminish. But joy gives us wings, sharpens our intellect and understanding and increases strength and vitality. When we observe the extreme amount of violence, unhappiness and unrest within our immediate communities as well as throughout the nation and the world at a time when science and technology have made it possible to produce more peace and comfort for more people of the entire earth than at any other time in the history of man, we must add to this equation of joy and pain the elements of religion and spirituality!
Happiness is often based on human emotions created by temporary situations or momentary pleasures. This happiness is usually short lived, ending with the passing or changing of these transitory situations. Joy, on the other hand, being spiritually based and divinely motivated and controlled, is neither contingent upon nor easily affected by physical surroundings or the changes and chances of time.
The more difficult place to find joy we are apprised in the Baha’i Holy Writings, is in The Prison of Self!” This prison breeds not only selfishness but self-righteousness as well. Unholy persons who practice chastity and morality become fanatical and carried away with their own purity. They can also easily and freely espouse religious or family values that affect only their immediate families, often at the expense of others with different, but not necessarily lower values.
When asked the difference between religion and spirituality, I refer to my favorite answer, provided by one Native American during a TV interview who, when asked of his religious beliefs replied: “Religion is what you get when you’re scared to go to hell. Spiritually is what you get when you’ve been there! How well can native and African-Americans, especially of my age, relate to this, having lived through the most historic segments of this nation’s desegregation war–still being waged!
Chastity and morality without holiness leads to rigidity and self-righteousness. Holiness is the quality of having conformed to the Will of God, thereby ensuring a condition of spiritual health and wholeness that extends throughout the Family of Man! (Investigate! – 1-800-22UNITE)
