“What Do I Need to KNOW?” is the title of my new book (available on Amazon). What Do I Need to KNOW? is the question I ask myself during my morning meditations. Sometimes, I decide to write a blog in answer to this question. Why do I capitalize the word “KNOW”? KNOW to me is a different word than know. KNOW signifies that there is a larger Truth to be known about any subject. That Truth lies within each of us if we ask the question honestly, openly and without any preconceived notion of what the answer might be. If we can do that, our Higher Self will answer the question. It always works.

The reason I am asking this question today is because of a question I am frequently asked by those experiencing a health challenge. The question is: “Why did this happen to me?” The answer seems very important to each person. I witness their self-blame, which is very disconcerting to me. I am saddened because I feel that this is what they have received from the Science of Mind teaching. I feel like I must make a falsity right.

Well, whenever anyone in distress poses the why question to me, I tell them right away that “Why?” is not a good question. The only thing to do when one is experiencing a crisis is to love oneself, be gentle with oneself, and go deeply within to allow the all-encompassing love of Spirit to envelope us. I assist those in need through Spiritual Mind Treatment and holding that space of love for them. We can all do that for each other.

I have asked myself why on many occasions when I am having a turbulent experience, but it is not coming from a place of blame or punishment. It is coming from a place of honestly wanting to KNOW what my highest and best route is to release any pain or turmoil associated with the experience. What I need to KNOW always is: I am love, I am loved, I am deserving of all the Good in life because of no other reason than I am a Divine expression of the One Power. I am perfect. I am magnificent.

If I find myself in an experience that is less than a reflection of that Good, I simply realize that the Universe is always conspiring in my favor no matter what is happening. What does that mean in regards to not so great experiences? It means that the Universe is always answering our deepest desires and reflecting our deepest feelings and beliefs. It is always saying yes to us. If something is showing up in our life, it has to be an answer to a belief we hold, perhaps a belief we have adopted from the collective consciousness. There is only one Mind that we all share.

Ernest Holmes once wrote that the seeming negative experiences we have in life are the soul’s journey back to Itself. It’s like the story of the Prodigal Son as told by Master Jesus. Love/God is always there waiting for us to turn to it. It does not condemn. It merely embraces us as we embrace ourselves. There is no separation.

So, to wrap up, the answer to my “What I need to KNOW today?” is that we are all experiencing just what we have called forth on a deeper level. We know what that is. We have the answer. Really, no one can no it for us. I cannot step back far enough to know the answer for anyone.

However, I do know that Love does not punish us. Love does not condemn us. We do not call forth particular incidents or diseases, but when needed, we do call forth the opportunity to go deeper, love ourselves more and to come home to our True self. This is the only way I can look at life on this human plane. I look at as all spiritual. There isn’t a greater place than earth in a human body to learn that we are not a body, but Spirit clothed in a body. Love is our only answer and our only question.

Love and Aloha,

Rev. Rita Andriello-Feren, Co-Spiritual Director CSL Kaua`i, Spiritual Coach, Author