Discovering the Divinity Within

This is my fourth post in a series, where each Monday I will post about a point of reflection or insight that I will use to reflect and meditate on during the week. In order to make it a bit more focused and interesting, I will attempt to do this with topics beginning with letters from A to Z. I have often found that having a specific topic to reflect and/or meditate on during the week really lends itself to interesting insights and growth, because you not only have several days to reflect and meditate on the topic, but you have several days to put any lessons and insights that you discover to work in your every day life. For those that follow me on Twitter (@JasonLivingNow) I will try to write updates as the weekly topics come up during meditations, moments of reflection, or just during every day life. To view the current and previous entries in this series, please visit the: Reflections and Insights A Through Z section.

My silly son wearing a stocking cap and gloves in June!

D= Divinity Within:I can vividly remember the day that I came to the realization that each of us possess a divine piece, a divine spark, from God. The realization came to me rather unexpectedly after I had finished a meditation session and my dog came and simply laid her head in my lap. I remember thinking how it was really odd how comfortably humans and animals can coexist with each other. Then it hit me, that in reality every living being was created by God; therefore, on a fundamental level, every living thing is interrelated. In hindsight this really doesn’t seem like such a stretch because almost every religion teaches that some sort of creator created every living being by giving some sort of breath of life. Even those that are more agnostic teach that all of creation is interrelated; and therefore, no harm should be done to another living/sentient being.

“Every man is a divinity in disguise, a god playing the fool.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

The realization that we each contain a divine spark (by whatever name) is a central teaching of many spiritual traditions, and each tradition has their own way of leading adherents to this realization, as well as their own practices to cultivate the divine spark. The realization that each of us contains a divine spark is powerful, because it means that every person has the ability to rise above negative situations, negative mental states, and general unhappiness in order to lead a happy and fulfilled life that is deeply connected with the rest of creation, and even the creator.

The fact that we each contain a divine spark also means that we have great responsibility to not only our fellow man, but also to the rest of creation. Human’s have the gift of reason and intellect above all other sentient beings; unfortunately, too often we use our mental gifts for self-serving endeavors that harm our fellow man, as well as creation. We must take care to use that reason and intellect for not only the good of mankind, but for the good of all creation.

Practical Tip: Throughout the week if you feel depressed, marginalized, or just “not good enough” remember, that you contain a piece of the divine within you; therefore, you can rise above any situation. Also, if someone makes you angry and/or you have negative thoughts towards someone, remember that they too contain a divine spark (even if they don’t realize it), and they deserve love and respect, even if they don’t reciprocate. During meditation, I have found it helpful to focus on a candle as a visual representation of the divine spark, or visualize a flame, light, or spark. Focus on the flame in order to deepen your connection with your own inner spark, the rest of creation, and the creator. 

I would love to see comments on your take on the divinity within, and what you have done to realize or cultivate that truth. If you wish to use the topic of divinity within as a point of reflection during the week I would love for you to share any insights that come up.
Please come back next week for the next installment of this series, and as always if you enjoyed what you read, please share on social network sites, subscribe to this site, and share this site with others!

Also please check out my book, “The Path: Using the Religions of the World as a Guide to Personal and Spiritual Development.” (Click on the book cover to view on Amazon.com)