When a Crisis becomes an Opportunity

One of the hexagrams of the I CHING—the ancient Chinese method of spiritual divination—shows the clear link between life’s crises and life’s opportunities. Seeing the news story about the courageous young man, Stephen Sutton, I have been reminded about the whole issue of turning crises in our lives into opportunities. What an extraordinary and deeply inspiring story! A teenager diagnosed with bowel cancer at the age of only fifteen decided (to quote his own words) ‘The best way to help myself is by helping others’. Instead of saying ‘Why me?’ he decided to devote all the energy and remaining time he had to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust. Thanks to a great deal of publicity from social media (an amazing tribute to the good side of this modern day communication phenomena) he has now raised over two million. His original goal was £10,000!)

In White Eagle’s teaching we can find many examples of how he encourages us to turn both small and major crises into opportunities, to help others; and by doing so we also grow in spiritual understanding and wisdom. And, of course, as we do this it can open our hearts even more in compassionate understanding of others’ sufferings and the wish to offer what help we can to alleviate this.

I believe Stephen’s brave example could encourage many to look for the opportunity within their own suffering. It must be so hard to have to face such things, but maybe through doing what Stephen has done, he himself finds purpose in what is a dreadfully challenging time, and hopefully others will too. I am resolving to look as often as I can for the opportunity in any difficult situation.

White Eagle, whose teaching can have a strong Taoist flavour, was once asked: ‘Is it possible for an individual to alter or change their suffering to beauty?’ And he replied using the symbolism of beautifying your garden:

'There is your garden planned. Some people may not trouble to beautify their garden because it is unshapely, but others can and will improve it, by planting bushes and flowers. It is your reaction to events today which will either erase the ugliness or leave it bare. Some people always bob up like a cork, although karma seems to overwhelm them at times, they come out smiling. Do not adopt the attitude of having to endure karma. Your garden may only be a back yard, but it can have lovely flowers and look as sweet and beautiful as many a larger, if love be there. Is not life beautiful! Is not God good, Who gives you the power to beautify?'

Surely Stephen has not only ‘beautified’ his own garden but added to the ‘beauty’ in the world for others in many ways.

My Springtime Visit to Texas

Our Americas’ Temple is set in a large area of very beautiful green and sacred land.  (This part of Texas is not as one might imagine. Before my first visit, years ago now, I thought it would be like the desert of cowboy movies!). I have just returned from a week’s visit for meetings with our key workers there. Springtime had come early (ahead of England) and the fresh green leaves and abundant wild flowers thrilled my heart. When not in meetings I enjoyed walking among the flowers and listening to the glorious bird song; watching the fleet-footed deer, and walking the labyrinth spiral on ‘Temple Hill’. It is here that the sunrise ceremony is held every Easter Sunday morning. Participants gather before the dawn to pray and meditate and welcome the resurrection with a fire lit at the central point of the labyrinth.  Later there is a delicious shared Easter brunch prepared by David our super chef.  Sadly I can only join the gathering in my ‘body of light’. On this beautiful land it is not difficult to feel the presence of angels and companionship of friends and family now freed from physical bodies. During my visit I was much aware of brothers who have helped establish White Eagle’s work in the Americas, continuing their work now at the inner level.

As we approach the Easter festival and here in the Northern hemisphere see the land blossoming with new life, the feeling of resurrection is very real to me. The seeming death of wintertime is clearly giving way to re-birth. In his book of Festivals and Celebrations White Eagle reminds us: ‘In the past, ceremonies were held at this time of the year, when the sun was returning with its warmth and life-force to bring forth from the earth itself the manifestation of God’s life and beauty. We would raise your consciousness beyond the darkness of the earth life, and bring you a vision of the company of radiant spirits and angels who draw near to your earth at this time in obedience to the law, to the will of our Father-Mother God. They come amongst you with rejoicing, trying to infuse into your being the joy of the sunlight, the joy of the Christ life. They try to awaken in your soul and higher consciousness supreme confidence in God’s love and wisdom. You may, if you will, receive the baptism of this Sun spirit, even as the brethren of the ancient wisdom have always received it.’

I invite you now to come in thought, in your ‘body of light’ and walk inwardly on the sacred land of our Americas’ Center, breathing in the new life of spring there to help you feel a joy-filled Easter resurrection in your heart and life.