TOUGH LOVE

“Tough love may be tough to give, but it is a necessity of life and assurance of positive growth.”

• T.F. Hodge

A while back, I read a posting on a forum where someone was asking about Jesus “alienating” some he spoke to by seeming to condemn their actions (ie. the Pharisees). Jesus, while compassionate towards all mankind, did not teach this sort of “feel good”, marshmallow fluff brand of spirituality that people want to hear these days. Like Socrates, he was often a polarizing character that made many people uncomfortable. To put it bluntly, he called people out on their B.S. and he did it out of LOVE. There is a difference between judgment and accountability; being condemned versus being asked to take responsibility.

A lot of people just want to hear what they want to hear, and never be told what they are doing is causing suffering or harm to themselves or others in some way. Some people even see it as mean to do this. Let’s ask ourselves: Is it loving someone to tiptoe around their feelings (which is really their ego), and not say something that may cause them to ‘feel bad’, while they continue to harm themselves and/or others? Or is it loving to tell someone, “Hey, I love you, but you’re hurting yourself and you’re hurting others by doing what you’re doing.”

Doing the latter may cause others to feel uncomfortable, upset, or even angry, and that’s okay. Truth is always a hard pill to swallow, and some take lifetimes to learn one lesson. However, by causing people to look at their own reflections, while it may be painful at first, it can ultimately cause them to reflect on the way they are living their lives and the belief systems they are subscribing to. This can start a wonderful chain reaction in which the person embarks on the path toward change, growth, and spiritual development. Interventions can save lives.

The still small voice within us always knows what we should be doing. It knows when we are wasting our time with shallow, frivolous things. It knows when we are acting against our true nature. It knows when we are acting against the Principles of Creation. It does not judge, only the ego judges. It does however hold us accountable. It does however turn that mirror we so love to project outwardly, back in on ourselves. That can be quite uncomfortable, but it is always quite necessary.

I can tell you from personal experience that working with the Christ Light within was NOT a path of sugar and spice and everything nice. It has been quite the opposite. ‘Letting go’, is not just about getting rid of a few small, annoying habits or doing some meditation- It is death and birth, with all the throws, agonies and pains. Part of us dies and a new birth takes place to fill that- over and over and over and over again. The more beliefs and attachments you have; the more character defects and resentments you are holding on to; the more painful the process will be. And most people in the modern world have A LOT, even if we would like to believe otherwise.

This pain can be exacerbated when fight the process or attempt to ignore it or run from it. When I would do things that were counter to the process of nurturing the internal growth process that was taking place inside of me I would suffer IMMENSELY.

The Light is intensifying in humanity as a whole, however so many are conditioned to their own suffering that they would rather remain enslaved by the known of their belief systems and what is “comfortable”, than be freed by the “unknown” Light of Christ. I have seen this with people in my own life, and while it saddens me, I know that only the individuals themselves can make the choice between freedom and slavery. I realize these are strong terms but this is strong stuff.

However, great darkness will reveal great light if we allow this process to happen, and this is the key. It won’t happen if we keep holding on, white knuckled, clawing to everything we hold dear. Make no mistake it is called the ‘Way of the Lonely Ones’ for a reason. Jesus said, “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.”

The path of the Christ, if followed in all earnest, will inevitably cause you to become alienated from some people. They will mock and ridicule you, either under their breath or to your face. These may even be people you once thought of as friends; perhaps even some family.

The best advice I can give is to follow the Truth of Self and take nothing personally. You may feel isolated from or even persecuted by mainstream society and culture. The path of the Christ, if followed in earnest, is not in line with the thinking of pop culture or social institutions. In fact it is more often than not, the exact opposite. The best advice I can say is to follow the Truth of Self and do the work in the world you are called to do, regardless of what society or government says.

When you follow the Truth of the Christ Self and understand the true Laws and Principles of Creation, you are protected. Is this to say that nothing painful or unpleasant will happen to you? No. Christ Jesus was the epitome of the enlightened and perfected man, and he was arrested, persecuted, humiliated, tortured, and killed in a slow and painful fashion. Should we expect that sort of an end? Probably not, but if we are following the path of Christ in earnest, we would be wise to expect and prepare for some rough times ahead. These are the times of testing that make us stronger in spirit.

This is the nature of the Christ as I have come to know It. It is one of loving compassion that calls us to action. It shows us who we are and demands that we step up to the plate and become that which we already are. It calls to us, wishing to establish a relationship with It if we will only do the work necessary to see and hear with ALL eyes and ears.

If you choose not to answer the call, don’t worry, you will, even if it takes you lifetimes.

However, life becomes much richer when you do. For those of us who have answered, we know there is no going back. Once your eyes and ears are open, you can’t close them again no matter how much you may wish you could at times, and this is the gift of wakefulness found in Christ.

WR-ALDA’S Blessings unto you and yours.