Jesus said, “If those who lead you say to you, ‘See, the kingdom is in the sky,’ then the birds of the sky will precede you. If they say to you, ‘It is in the sea,’ then the fish will precede you. Rather, the kingdom is inside of you, and it is outside of you. When you come to know yourselves, then you will become known, and you will realize that it is you who are the sons of the living father. But if you will not know yourselves, you dwell in poverty and it is you who are that poverty.” from The Gospel of Thomas (The Nag Hammadi Library)

I live a philosophy and faith called, “The Science of Mind and Spirit.” I hold, as my Truth, that the Kingdom of Heaven/God/Source is within me. As I approach these days of many ideas and a lot of turmoil, I go within. In this place, I know I can receive all my answers, as to what is the right path for me. How do I know it is the right path for me? I know because it is always a loving path. It promotes love in my life and in my behavior. I am at choice.

I believe that each of us has this same opportunity, not just because Jesus said it over 2000 years ago, but because we can each find out for ourselves. Going within for our answers and guidance is a practice that takes practice. It doesn’t necessarily happen all at once, but with a curious mind that questions everything and seeks to know the Truth for him/herself, the Universe answers yes. As it was written on the temples of old “Know Thyself.” I believer, so it is today.

There is an story told by the Native American elders as they deciphered the ancient pictures on a cave wall. The picture depicted two groups of people. One group had no heads and in the picture were falling into the abyss. The other group had heads and were ascending upward. According to the Elder, those with heads knew who they were. The others had been swayed into thinking that they were nothing but a bunch of the opinions of others. They were lost in those opinions.

Today, with so much information coming at me, it can sometimes be difficult to decipher what is true and what is false. I go within for all my answers. Here I find peace. I find power. I find love. I find guidance. I find safety. I find my true self – Spirit.

May your journey bring you closer to knowing how powerful and amazing and perfect you are.

Love and Aloha,

Rev. Rita Andriello-Feren