By Kahu Fred Sterling

Are we all that different when it comes to how we choose to worship? In the world of duality, we worship various entities in various religions-God, Creator, Christ, Buddha, and Allah.   The fundamental teachings of all these deities are the same.  They all espouse one God and a spiritual way of life.  So why is spiritualism scorned by so many people?  I think it's because fear is not a part of spirituality and the individual is seen as in control of his own destiny.  Love has always been a part of the scriptures, not fear.   

When I travel to different parts of the world, people ask me what denomination the title Kahu represents.  I usually smile and tell them I am a healing minister in a spiritual church.  At this point, I usually get a wide-eyed look of uncertainty and I can only guess that the individual is wondering what cult I belong to. 

For well over a decade, people have been asking me what denomination I am, but now when I respond that I am a healing minister, that wide-eyed look softens and the energy suggests that the individual is thinking, "I wonder if I can tell this guy about my problem?"  Just this weekend I presided over a burial at sea that was really more of a celebration of a life.  When I finished the ceremony, a staff person on the boat pulled me aside and told me that his mother was dying and he had some concerns.  In that moment, his eyes were clear.  He was simply a guy telling a perfect stranger of his personal concerns about death.  I assured him that, if it is his mother's time to die, he had only one choice-to handle it with the same grace and ease that he would want if he were in her position.  His concerns about death seemed to fade away as he inquired about my services. 

As a spiritual minister, I see death as a celebration of a journey's end and the beginning of new one.  I saw no need to offer the sort of condolences that would mire this person in grief or heighten his fear, nor did this gentleman seem to need anything more.  I believe that, in that moment, he had hope that his mother really was getting ready for a new journey, and it changed his perspective.   

As the mass consciousness makes a turn toward spiritualism, love is taking center stage and spiritual churches are becoming accepted as a safe haven for enlightenment. 

So for all who attend a spiritual church, such as this one, be proud and have no fear of sharing your views on life and death and all in between.  It just may be that the people you are speaking to are searching for new meaning in their lives, one that is all about love.  

© Kahu Fred Sterling