returning to personal peace:
how to kiss your own booboos
by annaleah atkinson

Each of us can probably remember a time when we suffered pain from a scrape to the physical self or to the personality self. Then a wonderful thing happened—Mommy or a trusted friend came and soothed us, and made us feel safe and helped restore our peace.

As we grew, we interfaced with the world better, so scrapes were less frequent. We also learned how to kiss our own boo-boos. We learned that we were physical, mental, and emotional beings, and a little more. There was a part of us that gave us intuitive, loving, expansive thoughts, that could forgive another even when our mental and emotional selves proved completely beyond a doubt that we had been wronged. There was a part of us that gave us hope for a loving life when hope was illogical.

Most likely we had some spiritual education that began to tell us about this mysterious, sacred part of ourselves that could fill us with well-being and wisdom. At first we may have heard that it was only from divinity outside of ourselves. It made sense, but we felt there was more. If we were fortunate, we might have grasped on to scripture that said, “The kingdom of heaven is within.” That “kingdom within” gently guides us to a better understanding of Itself. We may have found a good book, class, or teacher who led us to this place of deep peace within. We learned that when the waves in the outer world become turbulent, and even violent, we can dip below to the deep calm of the ocean. Some of us meditate. Some take long walks in the forest or practice yoga. Others listen to calming music. One of the tasks of being an adult is to learn which keys open the door to our spiritual selves.Our physical body needs air, water, food, exercise, and safety. The personality wants to feel important, and loves to be right. The spiritual body is complete in itself. It is connected to all life, and is eternal. It nourishes and heals the flesh when accessed, and guides the mind into making the best choices for its expression in this 3-D world.

Our spirits come to Earth for the same reason that we scuba dive, or go to the movies: to experience our Being in another way. We have a plan on how we want to experience this planet. When we are on our chosen paths, we are at peace. When we lose our way, something doesn’t feel right. There is a conflict between what the personality perceives it wants, and what the soul wants.

Unfortunately the map isn’t anywhere outside of our own hearts.
To return to peace, we must learn to listen to that spiritual part ofourselves that holds the map. This path is our ticket here, and already has the Creator’s blessing on it. It need not be lofty, but will lead to something the soul wants to learn.

We have each known people making highly disruptive life changes, such as getting a divorce, or changing a career, who have great peace amidst the turmoil, because they know that they are reconnecting with their paths

The spiritual self is the mediator for all of the other parts of me. Itlistens to my perceived physical, mental and emotional needs, feelings, and wants. It comes up with win-win, if I listen.

Annaleah Atkinson, M. Ed., is an interfaith minister who assists others in their spiritual reawakening, is on the board of the Asheville Mediation Center, a co-steward of Spirit Haven, a spiritual retreat center near Asheville, NC., and author of To Call Every Woman a Sister.To reach her, or learn more about Spirit Haven visit spirithaven.net