LightBears

If you have been following my blogs, you have probably noticed by now that I frequently ask you as a reader to be, or to continue to be, a LightBear.

This is something I will never stop asking if my readers because it is so very essential, so critical to continued life on earth. 

I recently went on a spiritual retreat and had the opportunity to spend some significant time in silence and meditation. It was the first time in my adult life, possibly in 50 years, that I had done such a thing. It was a remarkable undertaking and well worth the effort. 

There is a parable to the effect that God notices when even the least sparrow falls to the Earth.  This passage seems to cause some confusion in people. Sometimes in the course of conversation, the question may arise whether in fact God does exist, because how can a loving God permit the difficulties and sorrows that a person has endured. 

I cannot say that I have a cosmic answer — the plans of the Divine are so far beyond my limited human understanding!  However, it occurred to me during my meditative retreat that yes , God is indeed aware of the falling of a sparrow, as well as the suffering of all beings.

And it was part of the plan when God created human beings that they would lift up the sparrow, care for the sparrow, care for other beings, and care for one another.  

There is in the human heart a capacity to love beyond measure, to show compassion in so many ways.  I think of the stories of children who have found a fallen baby bird and brought it to their mother hoping to help it.  I know of stories where people have worked to free a trapped animal even knowing that the animal could harm them in the process. (Remember Aesop’s fables and the lion with the thorn in its paw?) 

 I also know that many creatures other than humans have the capacity for loving kindness, a certain compassion for beings other than their own species. 

It is truly remarkable when you stop and look at the bigger picture how many small acts of loving kindness are done without even a whisper of a desire for recognition or applause. This gives me hope — so much hope!!

I just witnessed a video that’s about a year old of a researcher who was diving and was approached at high speed by a humpback whale which seemed intent on pushing her out of the water. She didn’t understand but the whale was insistent and did not desist until it had pushed her with its nose back to the boat from which she had come.  She realized, looking back, that behind the whale was a tiger shark, one of the fastest and most vicious sharks in the ocean. The whale had been pushing her out of danger, and hung around the boat to make sure that she was safe. And the same whale came back some time later, to ensure that she was still okay. 

It is said that the beluga or the humpback whale are among the most altruistic whales in the sea. In considering the whale’s rescue of the diver, I could not help but think of God and the sparrow! In this particular case, the ” sparrow ” was a human who was rescued by a being from a different environment entirely! 

It’s my thought that perhaps we have been too literal in interpreting parables such as the story of God and the fallen sparrow, and we have been unaware that there are so many beings in this world in addition to humans who are capable of feeling and acting out of loving kindness and compassion.

Throughout human history there have been the occasional tales of wolves who have taken in a child with no parents, or of other creatures guiding a human lost in a snowstorm toward the safety of civilization.

 It’s a beautiful thing to know that the potential for loving kindness rests not only within human beings but also within the other wonderful beings created by the Divine.

 There have been cases reported recently of whales or dolphins coming to humans seeking help to be released from nets or ropes that they have become caught in. Sometimes the humans are able to help and sadly there are times when they are unable to. 

 I hope that humankind remembers as often as possible to show kindness to one another and to other species in need.

I will simply close now by reminding you please to continue to be a LightBear, to share the light within you with the world around you, and to always show kindness and compassion to any being that you meet. 

It is through compassion, through loving-kindness, that we enact our part of the Divine plan for the wholeness of this beautiful planet that we are so blessed to inhabit. 

I wish you many blessings, and many opportunities to show loving kindness, as well as many opportunities to receive loving kindness when you are in need. 

 And remember please, always shine your light, share your light, and be a true LightBear.