Nothing Happens By Chance

I have been brought up with White Eagle’s teachings and a belief that all major events in our lives have been pre-chosen before we came back into incarnation in this particular earthly lifetime. This, for me, brings a wonderful sense of security  and wellbeing.

Many years ago now I decided to set off on my own on some adventure travels.  Having had a very secluded and secure upbringing at New Lands, our main centre of what is now the worldwide White Eagle work, I felt I wanted to discover the world and knew inwardly that I had to do this on my own. I was fortunate enough to feel safe and protected by the power of the Star throughout all my travels.

When we hear of violence around the world, or terrible tragedies such as the recent shooting down of the Malaysian civilian flight, our natural thought is how terrible it is that such a thing happened, but also fear for ourselves or loved ones whenever we travel. Statistically it is much more dangerous to drive our cars than it is to travel on aeroplanes. But whether it is by plane, car, train, or however we venture out of our houses, I believe that rather than living our lives in fear, we can give ourselves a wonderful feeling of security if we trust what White Eagle is telling us: ‘Nothing happens out of order or by chance. The great law brings into your life the very circumstances that you need for growth.’  This is a quote from his much loved, best selling book The Quiet Mind—a quote which may be very familiar to many of you.

I am sure that everyone has been deeply touched by the media stories of the grieving families and our hearts and healing thoughts go out to them, but I do not believe it was actually ‘by accident’ that their relatives were on that particular flight. I could not help thinking about the story of Barry and Izzy Sim, the British family who were booked on MH17. When they arrived at the airport they were told there were not enough seats on the plane and they were ‘bumped off’. Was this a chance happening, or was it that it was not in their life plan to pass at that time, nor for their little baby? So in this interesting way they were protected. I expect if we look back on our lives we can think of circumstances, maybe near miss car crashes for example, where we feel so deeply blessed that we have been looked after, I would say by our guardian angel? White Eagle has given much reassuring teaching about this. Here is an extract from his Little Book of Angels:

‘At the time of a person’s birth, and even before the actual birth, the guardian angel is at work. The moment that the soul takes the decision to reincarnate, it comes under the care of the guardian angel. That guardian angel remains with the soul during the whole of its life, and when the soul passes onward, the guardian angel receives the soul in the spirit world. The guardian angel works under the direction of the Lords of Karma, because the soul in its charge has come back in order to pay its karmic debts and thereby to clear certain lessons. The guardian angel is not of the human kingdom. It is concerned with the karma of the soul in its charge and helps to bring about certain conditions in the soul’s life.’

Courageous Effort and Group Celebration!

It seems to me that many things are changing in today’s world and some things are changing very fast. It can seem hard to keep up. Communication is one area where it is all happening. You (or your child or grandchild) may have the latest phone or Ipad and next year it is out of date.

Sometimes the changes are very welcome, but others can be worrying. Looking back, something which has not changed in the last twenty years or so is the idea of sponsoring someone for a charitable cause when they have made a special effort. Indeed, this seems more popular than ever and social media advances have given more ways to get sponsors. There are media stories almost daily about courageous endeavours in aid of one charity or another. Many individuals are inspired to set up their own charity out of experiences of personal sorrow. There are so many examples of good coming out of tragedy.

A really ‘Aquarian age’ phenomenon coming out of sponsored events is the way they draw people together in groups in joyful celebration. Looking back on my own life, one of my proudest moments was cheering on my son Michael when he ran in the London Marathon. The feeling of group celebration as the runners were cheered home in St. James Park is something I shall never forget. As with every year, the so-called ‘fun runners’ were supporting many different charities and had put in hours of training. There were so many tears of joy, so many proud supporters and so much needed money raised for many good causes.

Last weekend I had a similar experience of joyful group celebration following courageous endeavour, when I stood on the beach at Colwell Bay on the Isle of Wight to cheer in my son-in-law, Joe, as he completed his swim across the Solent (the strip of sea between the southern coast of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight). Not having been a strong swimmer before, he signed up for his swim to support his local sports centre as well as my own little charity Star Action. It was a fantastic achievement—I was so proud. As I drove home afterwards I passed groups of cyclists with the name of a charity they were cycling for on their T-shirts and more crowds cheering them on.

We live in a wonderful world, I thought. Yes, there are awful things happening, but there are truly many wonderful people doing amazing things; things which inspire everyone to think of others and give—even if it is only a ‘widow’s mite’. Of course, the act of giving brings its own inner gift to the donor too.

So I would say, don’t be depressed about where our world is going. We are doing well! The magic of the Star is touching many, many hearts and minds, and they are opening.

Who Wins?

We are very much in the season of sporting endeavour here in the UK now. It is all happening—Wimbledon tennis with Andy Murray defending his title, the Tour de France cycling championship beginning soon in the North of England, and of course the World Cup football well underway.

Sport has a profound effect on many of us. It seems to bring up very deep emotions of national pride and the desire for one’s own team to win, (or the individual athlete we might support). Some people might think that it is part of being human to become almost as fanatical about sport as we can be about religious causes! On the day of writing this (the opening day of Wimbledon) I heard on the news that police expect a very big increase in domestic violence at times of key football matches and other major sporting events. The combination of drink and a passionate desire for a particular outcome can have this very sad effect.

I pray we can move beyond this in the age which is dawning now, for it is indeed an age of heightened awareness of worldwide problems—of the futility of violence and war, and of the oneness of all the human family. In this context I have been contemplating the whole question of national pride and its correct and balanced place in our societies. Our sporting endeavours bring wonderful opportunity to learn about other cultures (we have been hearing a lot about Brazil on our British TV!) and the more we learn of other countries, the more understanding heart to heart will unfold, and the less likelihood of future wars. Then it is also good to remember that the winning is probably not the most significant victory of the day. The Olympic creed reminds us: ‘The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win, but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.’

White Eagle tells us that true victory lies within each of us, on a daily basis. It lies in maintaining our inner poise and centre of peace no matter what. It lies in acceptance and peaceful surrender when the outcome is not what we hoped. It lies in our open-hearted happiness at the joy of those who feel uplifted by the result. I feel that if we truly believe in the oneness of the human family, we all share in that victory of endeavour, whatever country, ‘team’ or hero holds up the winner’s cup.

And finally, some wise words from White Eagle about surrender:

‘You have to develop the consciousness of the power of the star to perform miracles. But remember it is not your will when a miracle is performed. It is God’s power; it is God’s will. God is the light in the human being, and God alone gives or withdraws according to divine wisdom. We hope you understand that, and will not force what you think ought to be done. Surrender, my children, surrender to God’s will in all things.

      The Source of all our Strength, p.94

Healing Our Beautiful Earth

There has been much in the news recently about the new process known as ‘fracking’. Tests may be undertaken within our local South Downs National Park. There are those in favour, and of course, many absolutely against this. In the light of our aspiration to ‘heal the Earth’ and live more in harmony with the Earth, I have been thinking and reading about this a lot recently.

Fracking is the process of drilling down into the earth before a high-pressure water mixture is directed at the rock to release the gas inside. Water, sand and chemicals are injected into the rock at high pressure which allows the gas to flow out to the head of the well.

‘Shale gas is not the solution to the UK’s energy challenges,’ said Friends of the Earth energy campaigner Tony Bosworth. ‘We need a 21^st century energy revolution based on efficiency and renewable, not more fossil fuels that will add to climate change.’

It certainly seems as though whatever the researchers and scientists may say about its safety and potential to recover natural gas from within the earth without damaging the environment, it is certainly a very intrusive process.

We have designated Sunday 22^nd June (the Sunday nearest the solstice) our White Eagle World Earth Healing Day. White Eagle groups all over the world are gathering in different sacred places to pray for the Earth.

It seems a good opportunity to hold in our prayers at this time the work of scientists and environmentalists. The power of the Star will bring inspiration and clarity in their work to find the best possible solutions for the benefit of all people and to develop new sources of energy which are most in harmony with our beautiful planet.

White Eagle says in the book Earth Healer:  ‘The night is passing, surely passing, and the day of joy is at hand. This earth planet, very dark at present, is slowly quickening in vibration. Take no notice of those who say that the world will never become perfect, for they are wrong. The world is destined to become an etherealised planet, a planet of perfect light, and the life on that planet will become most beautiful. Now you are aiding in the creation of a brighter world. In the same way that thought affects action, so it affects physical matter, quickening its vibration, so that eventually the whole earth will not only be beautiful to look at and to live upon. Humanity will assist in the raising of the earth planet itself, the darkness will gradually be dissolved.’

Our Beautiful World!

This is the week of our famous Chelsea Flower Show in London. I am sure, like me, many, many people here in the UK are taking delight in watching the daily television broadcasts from the show. Yesterday the ‘gold medals’ were awarded for the best gardens and internal exhibits of wonderful flowers and exotic plants. One of the winners was Charlotte Rowe for her garden ‘No Man’s Land’ which commemorated the centenary of the start of the World War I. I was very impressed when Charlotte was interviewed, talking not only of the remembrance of all the soldiers who died in the trenches—in a truly creative way she had portrayed the trenches in the garden—but also the concept of re-birth and lessons learned through the tragedy of war.

I am lucky to have my own garden, and I’m able to walk in the countryside, and this time of year—late spring in the UK—is, for me, one of the most beautiful seasons of the whole year. After the darkness of winter the days are long and the hedgerows full of new life. The birds are singing and the sun has been shining. There is so much for which to say ‘thank you God’.

Someone on the Retreat I conducted here at New Lands at the end of April/early May told me her secret of happiness. She said: ‘Whatever is going on in my life, I say thank you!’ I was very taken with this and what she went on to say about ‘appreciation’ as a quality she was trying to bring more into her life. ‘Every day I look for things I can appreciate’, she said, ‘Not just the easy things, but difficulties too’.

So whilst we may naturally reflect on the sorrows of war, and often feel overwhelmed by our present circumstances, there can be so much inner enrichment and strength flooding into our hearts through appreciation and thankfulness. Yes, there are many tragic stories from history and in the present day, but so much also to appreciate and enjoy in our beautiful world, and which brings the gift of heavenly sunshine into our lives.

As White Eagle says in 'Prayer, Mindfulness and Inner Change': ‘We want to put into your heart this thought of a continual outpouring of thankfulness for everything—for life, for food, for the joy of living, even for those experiences which may appear to be bitter, for even these hold blessings for the child of God.’

When a Crisis becomes an Opportunity

One of the hexagrams of the I CHING—the ancient Chinese method of spiritual divination—shows the clear link between life’s crises and life’s opportunities. Seeing the news story about the courageous young man, Stephen Sutton, I have been reminded about the whole issue of turning crises in our lives into opportunities. What an extraordinary and deeply inspiring story! A teenager diagnosed with bowel cancer at the age of only fifteen decided (to quote his own words) ‘The best way to help myself is by helping others’. Instead of saying ‘Why me?’ he decided to devote all the energy and remaining time he had to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust. Thanks to a great deal of publicity from social media (an amazing tribute to the good side of this modern day communication phenomena) he has now raised over two million. His original goal was £10,000!)

In White Eagle’s teaching we can find many examples of how he encourages us to turn both small and major crises into opportunities, to help others; and by doing so we also grow in spiritual understanding and wisdom. And, of course, as we do this it can open our hearts even more in compassionate understanding of others’ sufferings and the wish to offer what help we can to alleviate this.

I believe Stephen’s brave example could encourage many to look for the opportunity within their own suffering. It must be so hard to have to face such things, but maybe through doing what Stephen has done, he himself finds purpose in what is a dreadfully challenging time, and hopefully others will too. I am resolving to look as often as I can for the opportunity in any difficult situation.

White Eagle, whose teaching can have a strong Taoist flavour, was once asked: ‘Is it possible for an individual to alter or change their suffering to beauty?’ And he replied using the symbolism of beautifying your garden:

'There is your garden planned. Some people may not trouble to beautify their garden because it is unshapely, but others can and will improve it, by planting bushes and flowers. It is your reaction to events today which will either erase the ugliness or leave it bare. Some people always bob up like a cork, although karma seems to overwhelm them at times, they come out smiling. Do not adopt the attitude of having to endure karma. Your garden may only be a back yard, but it can have lovely flowers and look as sweet and beautiful as many a larger, if love be there. Is not life beautiful! Is not God good, Who gives you the power to beautify?'

Surely Stephen has not only ‘beautified’ his own garden but added to the ‘beauty’ in the world for others in many ways.

My Springtime Visit to Texas

Our Americas’ Temple is set in a large area of very beautiful green and sacred land.  (This part of Texas is not as one might imagine. Before my first visit, years ago now, I thought it would be like the desert of cowboy movies!). I have just returned from a week’s visit for meetings with our key workers there. Springtime had come early (ahead of England) and the fresh green leaves and abundant wild flowers thrilled my heart. When not in meetings I enjoyed walking among the flowers and listening to the glorious bird song; watching the fleet-footed deer, and walking the labyrinth spiral on ‘Temple Hill’. It is here that the sunrise ceremony is held every Easter Sunday morning. Participants gather before the dawn to pray and meditate and welcome the resurrection with a fire lit at the central point of the labyrinth.  Later there is a delicious shared Easter brunch prepared by David our super chef.  Sadly I can only join the gathering in my ‘body of light’. On this beautiful land it is not difficult to feel the presence of angels and companionship of friends and family now freed from physical bodies. During my visit I was much aware of brothers who have helped establish White Eagle’s work in the Americas, continuing their work now at the inner level.

As we approach the Easter festival and here in the Northern hemisphere see the land blossoming with new life, the feeling of resurrection is very real to me. The seeming death of wintertime is clearly giving way to re-birth. In his book of Festivals and Celebrations White Eagle reminds us: ‘In the past, ceremonies were held at this time of the year, when the sun was returning with its warmth and life-force to bring forth from the earth itself the manifestation of God’s life and beauty. We would raise your consciousness beyond the darkness of the earth life, and bring you a vision of the company of radiant spirits and angels who draw near to your earth at this time in obedience to the law, to the will of our Father-Mother God. They come amongst you with rejoicing, trying to infuse into your being the joy of the sunlight, the joy of the Christ life. They try to awaken in your soul and higher consciousness supreme confidence in God’s love and wisdom. You may, if you will, receive the baptism of this Sun spirit, even as the brethren of the ancient wisdom have always received it.’

I invite you now to come in thought, in your ‘body of light’ and walk inwardly on the sacred land of our Americas’ Center, breathing in the new life of spring there to help you feel a joy-filled Easter resurrection in your heart and life.