The 20th century was a dark age for spirituality

[sky]

Originally Posted by Lucky 1

I agree with this.........as an example....a couple of years ago I was at a Hooters in Houston (its where a customer wanted to meet)

Our early 20 something blond waitress looked harassed and tired but doing her best to keep up with customers and orders.....Every time she came by I was struck by the fact that even though her attitude was "all business" that she had very kind eyes........and I looked at her in the eyes and said "I can tell you are a good person...you have very kind eyes" The look on her face was shock mixed with sudden emotion....like she was ready to cry.

An hour later as I was heading for the door, she came up to me and thanked me for what I'd said...that she was having a terrible day and just the few positive words from a stranger (me) had turned her evening around and she suddenly felt happier and good about herself.....

Making a nice comment to this overworked young woman improved her mood considerably and cost me nothing...

A miracle??? Perhaps not...but it gave a fellow human being a bright spot she sorely needed....and it came when she really needed it!
So perhaps I'd been put in her path that day to deliver that small miracle.

So miracles...big and small....from the kind words of a stranger that come at that moment they are most needed.....to the stranger who comes across a random car accident and drags someone out of a car right before it bursts into flames......happen all the time!

And we are all instruments of those miracles even if we don't realize it at the time..

Lovely little story and like you said it cost nothing and was given freely from your heart. Acts of kindness are miracles for some who just need a little help, being there at the right time is a miracle itself....

[Molearner]

Originally Posted by iamthat

The 20th century was a dark age for spirituality?

Completely disagree. I would suggest that the 20th century saw an explosion of spiritual growth.

Yes, there has also been a corresponding rise in materialism and consumerism and the use of new technologies for dark purposes. Perhaps the influx of spiritual energies is pushing all these things to the surface, so humanity now faces its own healing crisis.

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iamthat,

This is a balanced response. I read a commentary today that said....."Evil exists for the strengthening of the soul". This rings true for me. Perhaps the 'explosion' of spiritual growth that you perceive is a reaction is a reaction necessitated by the explosion of materialism, consumerism, science, etc. This was not so necessary in the recent past......life moved much more slowly. The universe is making an attempt at balance and it desperately needs healing. Processed food, fast food, lack of exercise, the effects of urbanization, nuclear power and its destructive potential, pollution, etc. were not problems of our ancestors. The modern age has forced us to seek the merits of holistic medicine, yoga, environmentalism et al. We now find ourselves dependent on drugs, electricity, gas, government, insurance, psychiatrists.....:) All of the aforementioned require money furthering the logic of materialism and consumerism. This all seems to be accompanied by a grotesque disparity of income. This creation of stress cries for a coping mechanism. For many the response will be to seek a strengthening of the soul and the solace of a dedicated spiritual commitment. So yes, we have spiritual progress but I view it as a response to increasing negative forces. In daily life I do not feel that I am surrounded by neighbors that are intent on pursuing the spiritual path. This forum is an aberration in that sense.