Steeple People

We've all heard the tale of Saint Peter, that doorman standing guard at the pearly gates in that place called Heaven. Pearly Gates, for that matter, what are they anyway? As a child, I will never forget that graphic illustration of St. Peter, overweight, white robe - bald head with long white beard, standing guard with staff at hand. Someone certainly had a creative imagination, and I still wonder what this fable has to do with me and my daily Spiritual life.

Remember that church demonstration you did using your little hands and fingers? "Here's the church, here’s the steeple, look inside, see all the people”. As my youthful years passed me by, I felt that I was on the outside looking in to those people. Truthfully, I did not have a wonderful life just because I was dragged off to church. Research has proven that I'm not alone in my disillusion of the church? I believe that everybody's belief system is right for them. Mine is right for me, yours is right for you, and so on. Some religious groups simply become the rhythm of a routine that lack real comfort for the soul. Suppose you are without any faith, will you be ready for St. Peter?

My reference to St. Peter has surely raised heavenly eyebrows, and a Bible verse offensive is possibly well under way. I pray not. I'm not trying to pick an argument with the faithful or mock anyone's belief. My intent has alterative motives, Spiritual awarenes for those with terminal illnesses similiar to ALS. A calming of the mind for those not dwelling or worried of being questioned by St. Peter.

Today we have preachers of all shapes and sizes writing articles that attempt to direct us: "Don't go that way, because it's a sin". "Don't do yoga, because that makes you meditate and that makes you take responsibility for your life, also it makes you think for yourself". I hold no degree in theology, but do know that ALS patients are consumed in health facts and daily courage to live life. Most become the prisoner of their own body, and hesitant to go worship anywhere.

A September 2005 Newsweek poll found 8 in 10 Americans do not believe any one faith is the sole path to salvation. So it's no surprise that some are weaving together strands from a variety of faiths to create their own personal religions. If this poll is accurate, what would be the faith ratio of people coping and dying of terminal illnesses?

This brings me to my friend Mike Bougher, a 44-year-old ALS patient diagnosed in 1998. We have never met, are 3,000 miles apart, he on one ocean, me the other. Mike surrendered the control of his deteriorating body, and began to build on that which had a greater growth potential, his mind and spirituality. Mike had a choice! He could have spiraled downward into misery, or use his progression as the ingredient for mental and spiritual expansion. Mike uses a quote that confirms, we have a likeness in thought, as well as ALS. "The world is a smorgasbord, but most suckers are starving to death".

For me, basically I was not happy living with empty faith and finding patients like Mike inspired my spirituality. Being spiritual is the honor code by which we live. This is where I found comfort in myself and compassion for others. Spirituality opens the door to your inner intuitions and all living objects in our world. Religion has tried, and I think failed to block this concept. Rather than looking to some outside force to help yourself find the truth, one needs to discover the truth in one's own spirit. We are born with it, it's located close to the heart, and it's human. If you have a spirit, you are spiritual.

(from the book, "Tuesdays with Morrie" )
" So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep even when they're busy doing things they think are important. This is because they're chasing the wrong things. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning." Morrie Schwartz