Spiritual Journey

“Spirituality is a personal relationship

With God. Not with rituals.

It's about living a life with purpose and meaning.”

Spiritual Journey Blog

I got a very meaningful phone call today. It was from a young woman who was dating Matthew. A few years ago, she was going through a very difficult time, so we invited her over to our home. While she was living here, she bought a book that made me feel very uncomfortable.

It was a recipe book for serial killers. Growing up as a Christian, I had strong beliefs about not letting “evil” into my surroundings. We attended a local Christian church at the time. In fact, it was that church that first made me question Christianity and my participation in organized religion. My mother had very little, so I went against my good sense and allowed her to buy the book and bring it into our home.

I quickly learned that what I perceived as “evil” was not always right, and that it was important to have an open mind and heart toward others, even if they differed from my beliefs. Ultimately, this experience taught me a valuable lesson about acceptance and compassion.

I was surprised by the phone call today. She called to thank me for letting her know about my hesitation about the book and to let me know that she has accepted Jesus into her heart. She also let me know that she, her pastor and his wife have burned the book. I was shocked at first by her decision to burn the book, but it has taught me how important it is to treat her with kindness and respect for her beliefs, just as it does when you accept Jesus into your heart.

After I hung up the phone, my past experiences with Christianity and organized religion immediately came to mind. I had just written and posted my last blog about thoughts and prayers. Christianity may bring a lot of harm, but it is a common religion that brings some people a peace they have never felt before.

The joy that new Christians feel deep in their souls is always there. It is present from the moment we are born. This joy is the result of a new relationship with God and the assurance of eternal life. It is a constant source of comfort and strength in difficult times, and for some, it can last a lifetime.

What I have come to understand for myself is that joy and peace come from within my soul, not from outside. God/Universe/Light is within each of us if we choose to connect with it. It has been a very unfamiliar journey to move away from the patriarchal notion that an external dictator will send my soul to heaven or hell depending on how I worship. In my reality, the patriarch is merely a human pawn to God.

By connecting with the Divine within us, we can live in heaven in this life and experience peace, purpose and fulfillment. It is up to us to cultivate this connection through practices such as meditation, gratitude and compassion for ourselves and others.

Christianity and other organized religions, despite their flaws, can be a means to find a deeper connection with the divine universe around and within us. However, it is important to know that this is not the only way to find spiritual fulfillment. There are many other belief systems that offer their own unique ways of connecting with the divine. Ultimately, it is up to each individual to explore and find what resonates with them on a personal level.

I've found that the key is to surround yourself with love and compassion and allow them to flow out from you.

Elisabeth Kubler-Ross says “There are only two emotions: love and fear. All positive emotions come from love and all negative emotions come from fear. Love gives rise to happiness, contentment, peace and joy. Fear gives rise to anger, hatred, anxiety and guilt. Indeed, there are only two basic emotions: love and fear. But it is more accurate to say that there is only one of them, because you cannot feel them at the same time. They are opposites. If you are afraid, you cannot feel love. If you are loving, you cannot feel fear.”

This is a sentiment I completely agree with. In my own life, I try to separate each of my emotions into these two buckets and remind myself when I respond to others that it comes from one of these two emotions. This approach has helped me to be more compassionate and understanding towards others, and it has also helped me to be more aware of my own emotional state. It has also helped me to build healthier relationships based on love and trust rather than fear and anxiety.

I love you friends and family, I hope we can all find a way to connect with the God beyond this world and create a peaceful haven for all living beings on this rollercoaster ride of life.

Light, love, peace and prayer

Catherine "Cat" Valliere, author of

My journey to mental health has been a lifelong effort. When I decided to leave the corporate world,

In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I decided to explore mental health more deeply. Since then, I have spent time exploring and understanding what it means to be mentally healthy.

On my blog, A'ho Namaste, I share my journey with others and offer insight and guidance on how to find inner peace and contentment. Join me as I explore the depths of mental health and create a life of greater meaning and purpose.

A'ho Namaste creates Peace Movement content and this information is not provided by medical professionals and is for educational and informational purposes only. This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding mental or physical issues. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read.

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