Is there really such a thing as gender?

Of course we all know that gender exists on a physical level. The real question is: Does gender exist on a spiritual level? Does a man have a "man's soul" and does a woman possess a "woman's soul"? After reading an article about how a man should "posess" a woman; I felt a mixture of disgust and intrigue.

As with all issues that I come across, I wanted to look at this subject from a persecutive other than chauvinistic Christianity, which has been the ruling philosophy in the West literally since the time of Jesus. Now, don't get me wrong. I hold no prejudices towards members of the Christian faith but I do wholeheartedly disagree with them on a lot of moral and political stances. I'm a collectivist, not an individualist. I believe in free thought. I believe that LGBT people should have rights. And lastly, but most importantly, I believe that men and women were created equally. The man is not the only head of the household. The man and woman are both the heads of the household; each doing the tasks that they do best.

But back to the original question: Is there such a thing as a spiritual gender? My answer has always been no. I don't believe that women or men are supposed to act one certain way and God forbid they actually be themselves. Perhaps, it would be easier to explain if I broke this question down into groups. Let's go!

Active & Passive: Masculine & Feminine Energies


Several New Agers believe that active energy is masculine and passive energy is feminine. However, I choose to dismiss this theory since no energy can be considered feminine or masculine. For the same reason God is Father-Mother God, genderless and yet both genders, energy cannot and has never been associated with a physical trait that is in existence only for the physiological purpose of reproduction. Active energy is simply active and passive energy is simply passive. That's it. Why assign a physical trait to a non-physical entity? It doesn't make sense.

Men


Society always seems to expect more of men. Men are supposed to be strong, tough, support their wives, blah blah blah. But when a man shows that he is human; when a man dares to cry, he is chastised. When a man is being bullied or abused he is told to "man up". Why? Men deserve to be treated fairly too. Just because men are built for certain physical tasks does not mean that they should take abuse from others. Society needs to value the feelings of men if the human race ever wishes to grow beyond its primitiveness.

Women


For thousands of years women were treated as second-class citizens. They were not allowed to work, they were not allowed to advance to the same educational level as men, and they were nothing more than baby breeding machines. A woman had to find a man in order to survive. Women who could not find husbands were forced to live with their parents until they married. When they became windowed in old age, they were merely left to die. With no skills and no education; what could they do without a man's help? Nothing. The lucky widows had sons to care for them in old age. The not-so-lucky ones were sent into a terrible death of starvation due to agonizing poverty. Most of them were miserable. I'd like to quote a prominent feminist, Mary Wollstonecraft, who wrote

"Educated in slavish dependence and enervated by luxury and sloth, women were too often nauseatingly sentimental and foolish. A confined existence also produced the sheer frustration that transformed these angels of the household into tyrants over child and servant. Education held the key to achieving a sense of self-respect and anew self-image that would enable women to put their capacities to good use."


Henry Mackow likes to believe that feminism is what has destroyed the family structure, contributed to female promiscuity, and caused women to be "confused as to their roles". I would like to argue that while some women may be confused; most of us are not slutty, career-obsessed, bimbos. 


I am an educated woman with a fulfilling career. I have been supporting myself since a very young age. Yet, I also have a fulfilling long-term relationship with my fiancée. Successful relationships are not dependent upon traditional and oppressive roles; they are dependent upon factors such as love, physical security, and happiness. 


To state otherwise is to make a mockery of all of the good-hearted souls who fought for equality between the sexes. Because of them; I do not have to die of starvation as an old widow due to my barren womb. No, I can live a happy and peaceful life with my lover knowing that we will both be okay in our old age. I am eternally grateful for women such as Mary Wollstonecraft who made it possible for me to be a successful, educated, business owner. I could not have done this back in the days of women having to rely solely on men.


LGBT


Sexual orientation seems to have a lot to do with so-called "gender identity". I would actually like to point out that there is no such thing as gender identity. Love is simply love. It is a connection from one soul to another. When you find your other half; you will know. Sometimes that person isn't a different gender than you after all.


If a man loves a man or a woman loves a woman and they choose to carry on a successful, monogamous relationship; they are free to enjoy the same rights that heterosexual couples enjoy everyday.


I am personally disgusted by the religious right. The fact that they would push their draconian, warped views on everyone who doesn't fit in their perfect "white, Christian, middle-class" bracket is despicable. Why are they so obsessed with the way that other people choose to live their lives? Are they truly such control freaks that the happiness of others ticks them off so much that they want to fight it? 


For too long, the LGBT community has been oppressed by bible-toting, hate-spewing, racist, right-wing nutjobs who have nothing better to do than butt in to other people's personal affairs. You don't see gay people protesting at straight weddings. So why do they show up and do it to gays? How disrespectful and ignorant these people are! 


Conclusion


I may have let my passion get me a tad off subject. These are issues that are very important to me. I believe its important for everyone to know that there really is no such thing as a spiritual gender. Gender is something physical. In spirit, we human beings, look and feel exactly the same. Our souls truly are genderless. 


Photo courtesy of gunnisal of Flickr.com

Finding Solace During Difficult Times

What causes personal difficulties? Are they controlled completely by the actions of people or by some unknown force beyond our grasp? The answers to these questions are difficult to find. Though we cannot always control the circumstances within our lives nor can we control the immediate effect they'll have on us; we can control what we are willing to do with those experiences. The old saying of the half empty or half full glass rings true for everyone. 


Understanding Optimism & Pessimism


Optimists believe there is a silver lining on every cloud. Pessimists, on the other hand, have the ability to bring down the entire room. This all has to do with energy. Some people are more naturally inclined towards one or the other. 

If you're naturally a pessimistic person, chances are that you have unintentionally amplified the effect negative circumstances may have had on you. This is because pessimism is a form of negativity. Negativity feeds on negativity and it can grow to unimaginable proportions.

When you sense a negative thought entering your mind, refute it with something positive but true. Being positive is not enough - being truthful and positive is the only way to combat negative energy. You should also take measures to bless your home and workspace at least once per month. This can help keep positive energy flowing through.

Difficulty & Uncertainty

Uncertainty and difficulty are simply two unfortunate facts of life. However, no matter what personal difficulties we face - we as humans were given the God-given ability to overcome them. Isn't that wonderful? Never tell yourself that you cannot. Remember, you can and you will. Positive and truthful affirmations can be repeated out loud if you feel negative thoughts slipping into your mind.

Trust in the Companionship of Others

Healing can be as simple as a fun day at a tea shoppe with a close friend. Small, positive activities with others can have an enormous impact on how you live your life. If you have no friends, encourage yourself to go out and make some.

Even if you're like me and work from home, you can still make friends. Make an effort to go out places as often as you can. Be a conversation starter. The best way to start a conversation is usually with a compliment.

Also, be aware that the people that you choose to hang out with are not emitting negative energies as this can defeat the very purpose of healing through other people. We humans can sense each other's energy - if something doesn't feel right, that's because it isn't.

Love Conquers All


Love truly does conquer all. The love of friends, family, or a significant other can help you wade through the harsh waters of disappointment, loss, or personal trials. You can also make an effort to set aside some time in which to pray or meditate. Prayer and meditation can help you relieve stress and face difficult situations with a clear head as well as a clean conscious.

The Power of Meditation and Prayer

Prayer is the act of speaking with your chosen deity. Meditation is a slightly more abstract practice that can lend its benefits to the mind and body. Both practices can be incredibly healthy because they help to relieve stress and anxiety.

Prayer


The key to praying effectively is to find a prayer that works well for you. Remember that prayers are personal and special. Here are some tips for praying effectively.

1. Thank God for all he has given you.
2. Express what concerns you have at the time.
3. Ask for help with taking care of those things.
4. Thank God again for all that he does.
5. Have faith that your prayers will be answered.

Prayer is not magic. Even magic takes time to have an effect. The key is patience and a good attitude. Positive affirmations can also help you deal with any difficulties that come your way.

Meditation

Meditation has a powerful effect on the mind and body. Meditation can be used to improve focus, relieve stress, and can even heal the body. Those who meditate are often physically and mentally sharper than those who don't. Practicing meditation for about ten to twenty minutes per day at the same time each day is ideal.

Atmosphere

The general atmosphere that surrounds you can have a significant impact on the effectiveness of your prayers and meditations. For this reason, it may be more beneficial to light candles, burn incense, play new age music, or set up an altar in a quiet place. Remember that each person has a certain energy about them. Because all of our vibes are different, our atmospheric and spiritual needs can differ as well.

Image credit goes to h.koppdelaney of Flickr.com

In It Together: 5 Reasons Why You Should Find a Partner of the Same Faith

Christians are not the only religious group that place an importance on finding partners of the same faith. For many spiritual people, their faith is their life. Having a partner of a different faith or no faith can sometimes be acceptable, but you'll feel much more fulfillment if you can share your experiences and knowledge with the one you love.

Five Reasons to Have a Partner Who Shares Your Faith

1. You can openly talk with them about your beliefs without offending them. This is probably the most important reason of all. Do you really want to hide a part of who you are for fear of upsetting your partner?
2. You can grow together in your faith. While some faiths are more solitary than others, the importance of human relationships through faith has been proven time and time again.
3. People who share the same faith have a stronger bond than those who don't. Having a strong bond with your partner can mean the difference between a long, happy, and healthy relationship and one that isn't.
4. You and your partner will really appreciate each other for who you are; all of who you are. Instead of feeling like you can share a part of yourself, you'll be able to fully share everything with your intimate partner. 
5. There will always be peace in your household. Interfaith couples can have a tendency to argue with one another about matters of their faith. Couples of the same faith are less likely to argue as frequently. 

Remember that ultimately, faith is a belief system. Not all Christians or Buddhists will hold the same morals. This is why sharing morals and a general belief system are important. Two people with the same or a similar set of morals will be compatible because the foundations of who they are align perfectly with the other person. A strong foundation will never crumble.

Finding a Meaningful Career for Spiritual Fulfillment

Most people in the past viewed work as a mundane necessity that had little to do with spirituality. As times change and we move further into the Age of Aquarius, this view is being questioned on a wide scale. The negative economic situation has created positivity in the hearts of those all over the developed world. Now, more than ever, people are chasing their dreams full speed ahead.

Websites such as Etsy are making it possible for artists to make a money doing what they love. Similar online venues have emerged for writers, designers, and programmers. It isn't just online where opportunities for creative minds are abundant; businesses are finally starting to realize the need for artists and writers in a time where only the innovators will survive.

A Personal Story

Ever since I was twelve, I wanted to be a mangaka. I spent several years honing my skills in order to make this dream a reality. Unfortunately, the economy went under when I finally reached the age at which I was able to work. Because I moved out young, I had to find a way to make money to support myself as there were no jobs in the area I lived in.

Luckily, one of my skills was writing. A dear friend of mine, named Sue, introduced me to the wonderful world of freelance writing. I created a web-based writing business that makes me a living today. I still want to be a mangaka, but I get a sense of fulfillment from my current work because I am using the skills that God gave me.

Find Yours

I've heard several people say that they have no passion or there's nothing that they're really good at. Not so! Everyone is born with God-given skills that they are meant to use in their adult life. For me, it was writing and drawing. For you, it could be counseling.

1. Evaluate the things you enjoy doing. Work is not meant to be drudgery.
2. Make a list of all of your favorite activities.
3. Make a separate list for the skills you know you have. What things have you successfully done in your life? They don't have to be spectacular, they just need to be accomplishments. If you've ever done a great job cleaning your house, that's a noteworthy accomplishment.
4. Write down career choices that you might consider based upon your natural abilities, personality, and enjoyable activities.

It's alright if it takes you a while to figure these things out. Some people have to do a bit more soul-searching then others. In the end, though, it's about doing something that you find meaningful.

Defeating the Poverty Consciousness

The poverty conscious is an ugly, awful thing. It tears you down, makes you feel worthless, and cripples you until your creativity is gone. It is the evil voice in the back of your head that tells you that you never have enough and you'll never have enough.

For years, I struggled with a poverty consciousness. You don't have to be poor to have one, but barely scraping by sure doesn't help matters either. There is a way to defeat it though, and it isn't necessarily by making more money.

A Stunning Revelation

One day, as I was in deep prayer at my altar, I asked Father-Mother God why things kept going wrong for me. A bright white light revealed the black energy that was in my head. That nasty mess of black energy was the poverty consciousness; the root of all of my negative thoughts and feelings. God said to me "Fight it with light" and I did. With the help of the Divine Light and my angel, I was able to destroy it completely.

More things were revealed to me through my daily prayer sessions. I became more aware of the energy around me. I knew things before they were going to happen (clairvoyance) and for the first time in my life, I felt a sense of hope. Things were going to change, I could feel it.

Nip It at the Bud

Have you ever felt overly stressed? Tired? Hungry? Not enough money? Worried? Everyone does. However, if these feelings persist on a daily basis and you cannot get a moment's peace, you may have a poverty conciousness.

Defeat it like so:

Stand or kneel at your altar. Find the gray or black energy in your head, using your third eye. Your third eye is most active when your physical eyes are both closed. Once you've spotted it ask God's Divine Light to remove it for you and help you experience joy. Envision the white and gold light eating up the icky black and gray mess. Sit still for a minute.

You may feel a sudden burst of happiness that you cannot fully understand. You may feel as though a huge weight has been lifted off of you. Your head will no longer feel heavy and you will be free to think and create positively.