Spirituality has always played a big role in my life. Since I was a child, I felt that there is more to us than the physical shell we tangibly see and touch. I found my spirituality in religion as well, and this has been very rewarding to me in many ways. However, I also acknowledge that spirituality is a personal journey that takes to many diverse paths, in fact to as many as the individuals that choose to follow those paths.
One of the aspects of my spirituality is to follow spiritual promptings as they come to me. When I do this, I feel a sense of gratitude. Usually a clear direction is also laid before me. I learned to discern and recognize those promptings and so I am quick to write them down and to act upon them as soon as I possibly can.
A few weeks ago, I received a prompting to study and practice Hope. I also felt that Hope is connected to Gratitude, in addition to other important values. As I have begun my journey towards understanding and practicing Hope and Gratitude, I also felt prompted to share my thoughts in writing. So today I begin a monthly spiritual series with the intent to capture spiritual insights that I believe can be helpful to those who are willing to test my suggestions. This is not about religion. If you wish me to write about specific religious topics, please let me know, and I will be happy to oblige.
A CHALLENGING WORLD
In the last few years, I have witnessed an escalation of challenges in society and the world in general. In addition to increasing natural disasters, there is also an increase in stress in people, especially those who live in the so-called western civilization.
Although we are experiencing much technological progress, the divide between poles has dramatically increased and seems to be increasing even further. It is true that we are aslo witnessing goodness, but there is a dichotomy deep inside even in the good people that is scary at times. I have seen individuals that I highly respect become very entrenched in ideas that are extreme and quickly become at odds with even their loved ones.
Especially now, with the Covid-19 pandemic and the forced isolation, which is needed as we try to get out of this very difficult situation, the extremes seem to externate through behaviour that is not “normal” for most of those who are showing such behaviour.
Many are starting to doubt everything, even themselves, and are hanging by a thread. Doubt, if constantly fostered, leads to despair. Doubt and despair lead to desensitization or, in other words, to selfishness and even hatred. If you take a deep look at some “political” or “social” threads on different social media platforms, you will recognize what I am talking about.
But do we need to be like this? Is there a way we can find healing and resiliency in all this? The answer is Hope.
THE TRUE MEANING OF THE WORD HOPE
I believe people struggle with grasping the true meaning of hope. It is as important to define hope as it is to define faith or other important spiritual principles. Unfortunately, in a “worldly” sense, the definition of hope is simplistic and almost superstitious. I think of expressions such as “I hope it doesn’t rain” or “I hope my team wins the cup” or even “I hope to pass my school exam.” But in a spiritual sense, Hope is a principle that has a more powerful meaning and application in our life.
In “Preach my Gospel”, a Christian manual used to help missionaries receive training to help others understand various spiritual principles, we read that Hope “is manifest in confidence, optimism, enthusiasm, and patient perseverance. It is believing and expecting that something will occur. When you have hope, you work through trials and difficulties with the confidence and assurance that all things will work together for your good. Hope helps you conquer discouragement.” (Preach My Gospel – Chapter 6 “How Do I Develop Christlike Attributes?”). In writing to the Roman converts, Paul of Tarsus, himself a convert from Judaism to Christianity, stated: “…but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.” (Letter to Romans 8:24-25)
In other words, Hope is a trait of expectations that all things will work out in the end. It is seeing the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel, even in the darkest situation. In fact, Hope is expecting light no matter what the outcome. In this respect, Hope and peace go hand in hand.
THINKERS AND HOPE
Hope is seen as a virtue by almost all spiritual leaders and most thinkers. Confucius associates hope with the ability of being happy and to be a protection for the soul, almost like thorns are a protection for the rose. By the same token, Cardinal Desmond Tutu said: “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” Hellen Keller, who had some serious physical impediments since birth, expressed her powerful belief on Hope and the traits of her own incredible character and accomplishments when she stated that “Hope sees the invisible, feels the intangible, and achieves the impossible.” I could cite many others such as Buddha or Gandhi and more but it seems to me that all these people confirm that Hope is more than just a passing expression of luck, but a true trait of someone who has understood its impact on our individual spirit.
Hope sees the invisible, feels the intangible, and achieves the impossible.
– Hellen Keller
HOPE IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER
As I mentioned earlier, we live in a challenging world. Hope as a motivating value and as a spiritual drive to peace and personal fulfillment is more important than ever. I see much despair, anger, and doubt around me and I can only tell that Hope can truly help the healing process.
I recently read an old article about Hope by Larry Hiller and I wish to leave you with his final thoughts: “Hope is anything but wishful. It is expectation based on experience. I see Hope more clearly now. She is serene. Her eyes have the deep, knowing look of someone well acquainted with sorrow, the luminosity of recently being wet with tears. Hope has the confidence of one who clearly sees a bright future even when the next hours seem fog shrouded. Hope is steady and strong, a friend I am glad to have beside me during my own trials.” (Hope: The Misunderstood Sister – Larry Hiller)
To the next article!
adf
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