Volu
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Matthew, "If you read my posts carefully you'll see that I never connected following the path of love (PUL) exclusively with obligatory service to others."
I read the post I commented on carefully, and those were my thoughts.
"I don't begrudge you your cheese, nor would I begrudge myself chocolate ice cream, or anyone's self indulgence. But if you look at what many different cultures say about love, and spirituality, the issue of an "active" love does come up. Action is almost always the result of thought."
Well, I put the cheese in for comic relief. Although interesting to hear about different cultures, how they think, what they do, it's not a red thread for me.
"Any volunteer work that I do, or any inclination I have to help others is personal - I do not write about it on the board, nor seek fame or notoriety. My true contention is that as we move toward love, our own personal desire for service to others increases unbidden. Obligatory service to me, or service to get your name spoken of (or a plaque, etc.) is odious to me, and completely fake."
Whatever work you do and the inclination is personal indeed.
"On the other hand, we are our thoughts, and our actions flow from thought. When does an astral explorer seek to continue exploring a mental plane, or stop out and help another who seems lost?"
Helping out is a valid choice. For me. Did I mention ME? Yes. Me, myself, and I. Comic relief again. I (hey, nice going there, lovely you, no, I mean me) want to make the point that I don't claim to know what's best for ALL. Knowing that incarnations have higher aspects with constant attention provided makes the moving on a valid choice too. I at least have experienced being lost, and then find a way. Helped, inspired and moved by generous, amazing and awesomely lovely spirits too.
"When does our conscious intention open up to service to others, and how do we integrate this into a personal spiritual search?"
The word individual seems to be frowned upon in light circles, as it lacks direction for a group, but that's a word I like. Even standing in front of a group of co-workers showing them how to use a computer program, I don't like being the one they look to for answers. Discussions can be fun though, since there are so many views to examine. And thought processes are stimulated. So. Short version is, I don't know for a group. What I do know is that service to sounds like being a butler.
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