“Faith is an openness and trusting attitude to truth and reality, whatever it may turn out to be. This is a risky and adventurous state of mind. Belief in the religious sense, is the opposite of faith - because it is a fervent wishing or hope, a compulsive clinging to the idea that the universe is arranged and governed in such and such a way. Belief is holding to a rock; faith is learning how to swim - and this whole universe swims in boundless space.” - Alan Watts

A humorous look at the author's experience at the Crosswalk.com forum.

Gush Katif are the Jewish communities in the Gaza Strip area of Israel. This land was specifically given in the bible to the tribe of Judah. Today Israel is in a battle against the world, and against their own government trying to hold on to their biblical inheritance.

Many of us have been taught that it is wrong to be angry. This thinking weighs heavily in both the sacred and secular domains. Is that thinking right or wrong?

To a shaman a kachina isn't really a doll or a child's toy. Also, it isn't a collector's piece of art or a decoration. However, it is often used that way, and that's ok too. There is a place for that approach in our lives. They do make a powerful addition to any home's decor, and make a great conversation piece.

If you were Satan and your goal is to destroy as many lives as you could, what are the two institutions you could attack that would destroy more lives than wars and natural disasters combined?

And then we ask ourselves upon what principles are we allotted our looks. What is it that makes us ugly or attractive or “plain?” What is it that gives us a musical ear or an artistic eye; an affectionate disposition or an uncontrollable temper, a talent for mathematics or skills of language?

When my dad was nearing the end of his life he began searching his heart to see if there was anything left undone - some unconfessed sin, a misdeed, anything at all he needed to make right before he faced God. He constantly prayed that the Holy Spirit would bring to his remembrance anything he needed to make right with his fellowman. It was during this time that he came across a rusty old garden tiller at the edge of his garden. It belonged to a farmer down the road who had sold it to Dad, but, when it didn't work, the farmer returned his money to him and told Dad just to bring it back any time.

A Brief Study of Jesus' flight to Egypt in Matthew 2:13-15

We all long for love, but the defensive reactions of the ego often get in the way. However, your ego plays a very positive role in your life as well. Once you learn the secret of ego and its role in Creation, it will stop getting in your way and become the biggest ally in your journey through life.

Struggling with relinquishing control to God and being a servant to others God is showing me what true success is.

The metaphysical lore of the East is, quite logically, intertwined with the arts associated with the Shadow Warriors of Japan. Often, the influences are obvious, as in the use of the Shinto ceremony of respect and acknowledgment used to open and close classes; others, like the 5-element classification systems are not as apparent.

There is no such thing as a coincidence. Albert Einstein reasoned that, “God simply does not play dice.” While we may not fully understand the reasons behind certain events, there are laws and order ...

Last NAN I explained how to petition the female Saints with special requests. This time around I'll provide some instruction on how to ask to be put in the cosmic care of the Male Saints . These are very ancient pagan rituals, which have been popularized by the Christian Church.

The psalms of the Bible are a literary treasure chest of prayers for prosperity. Below is a list of which psalms to recite for common financial requests. In some Catholic and Santeria traditions, you say the prayer or write the prayer out after lighting a candle. You may also recite the prayer as many times as you want to transform it into a kind of a mantra.

Sometimes you have to see something to believe it. Like angels. Unfortunately, angels are adept at not being seen, yet many people believe in them. I saw an angel at work last year. No, I did not ...

The 76 cards of a Tarot deck each have a specific, external meaning. These are specified by the positive and negative characteristics governing the chief aspects of our lives (Major Arcana), as well as the day-to-day import reflected in the suits and by each card within the suits (Minor Arcana).

One of the first steps toward understanding the Tarot lies in appreciating the meaning of its two Arcana – the Major and the Minor. But even before that, the novice does well by committing to memory the meaning of “Arcana” – defined as “mysterious knowledge, language, or information accessible only by the initiate.”

Those living on the highest levels of life have learned to accept life on its own terms. There are some realities about life that we must accept. This is the key to living joyfully in communion with the heavenly while abiding here on earth.

Echart Tolle has isolated a key concept called the pain-body. This shadow entity is the cause of all human suffering. We can dissolve it by shining the light of our present awareness on it as it emerges into consciousness.

Did you ever see something go wrong around you and suddenly burst out, “How on Earth did I create that?” Really, how can bad things happen, even to the sweetest, kindest, most spiritual people on the planet? Where’s the fairness in that? The answer lies within, at your soul's level of consciousness, and is to do with transformation and your soul's desire to be of service to humanity.

What is the meaning of life? While we are in the business of getting, we should gather the true currency of the soul. We are here for a purpose. And when our intention is pure, we ascend to success in this life and the next.

Knowing what is right and what is wrong in your own inner consciousness is insufficient. It is not the knowing of truth that transforms a person; it is the doing of truth that has an impact on you and on the other people that you interact with...