how to develop comprehension

By Phil Shapley (White Wolf)

Applying spiritual concepts requires that you realize the reality of the spiritual. It helps to start by realizing that there is a loving Creator. You can not normally obtain this knowledge by scientific experiment-- this is not the way our Maker dispenses knowledge. Perhaps the Creator withholds scientific proof because most investigators would not show proper respect for this scared knowledge. If you know that there is a loving Creator and fail to properly respond, there will be negative consequences. So in His kindness, He with holds this confirmation thru scientific means.

How do you learn of a loving Maker? You do good deeds and sincerely pray to know that there is a loving Creator. Your sincerity includes the desire to do good, wanting to know and letting this information improve your life. Under such circumstances, sooner or later, you will feel a warmth, a love, a peace which will fill your bosom.. You will be deeply aware that you have a loving Creator.*

Though I advocate starting as above, you can proceed directly by following 1 of 3 routes:

Route 1: Visit with respected Native Elders and practice what they advocate.

Route 2: Perhaps better than Route 1, undertake a serious pursuit of spiritual knowledge by studying and experiencing traditional Native, Christian, Jewish, etc. teachings. (Native and deeper Christian teachings are compatible but the emphasis can be different.) But beware, there are false teachers in all spheres that seek to deceive. Associate yourself with good teachers and develop a relationship with your Maker so that He can guide you.

Route 3: Though like Route 2, there is a difference. Align yourself with a church that has deep spiritual teachings and associate with Native Elders and study their understandings.

How do you proceed with either of these three routes? You start by applying, experimenting with, one or two of the teachings. If it is a good teaching, you will have a good experience, a peace. This is evidence that it is a true teaching. But don't stop there, practice other teachings. Again, if they are good teachings, you will have good experiences. Keep going, keep learning. With your experiences, you are gaining knowledge. Thank your Creator for it. And as you continue to experiment with spiritual truths, you gain additional knowledge and are beginning to realize the validity of the spiritual. Keep learning-- the journey is beautiful.

If you seriously pursue any of these routes, you will begin to understand that everything has a spiritual dimension, and as you develop, you will soon be able to apply spiritual concepts to benefit resources. And you will develop a respect for and love for Mother Earth and Nature. Now read the other papers with an open mind.

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* How can there be a loving Maker when there is so much misery? A partial answer is that we must experience the bitter to appreciate the sweet. Also, Man is learning that he messes up without his Creator. When Man ignores the higher laws, problems and misery result. Those who endure trials will be rewarded in the post-earth life. More is said in other papers.