From Fear to
Creativity
By
Rev. Eleanor R.
Fisher, Psy. D
Moral Imagination
Moral Imagination is not an
oxymoron. Instead it is a phrase that speaks of being aware of alternatives
in life with all of their shadings, nuances and subtleties. One of the
crucial elements of moral imagination is that of courage: the courage to hear
one’s intuition, enable the intuitive vision to become dimensional and seek the
help that is necessary to grow towards one’s highest developmental potential
Paul Tillich, distinguished philosopher
and educator, in his book The Courage To Be said, “Our period in civilization
is that of the anxiety coming from the loss of meaning of life and that courage
is an ethical concept. Courage as the universal and essential
self-affirmation of one’s being is the ethical act in which man affirms his own
being in spite of his existence, which conflict with his essential
self-affirmation. Courage does what is to be praised and rejects what is to be
despised. One prizes that in which a being fulfills it’s potentialities
or actualizes its perfections. Courage is the affirmation of one’s
essential nature, one’s inner aim; it is an affirmation, which has in itself
the character of “in spite of”.
The world is changed forever by the horror of September 11, 2001. Courage is not only heroism and extra-ordinary heights that we can reach as individuals during times of personal and national crisis. I think that Americans are faced with one of our greatest challenges ever. That is to look inward and mobilize our strength. This strength must come from the burning desire to overcome and rise above negativity, pessimism and jealousy. We must resolve to know the difference between what is and what ought to be and live what ought to be. This rededication must be our ways of life, for Americans know that this time will pass and if we are to overcome terror in all of its forms, we must live from the strength and knowledge that love must be our source. Otherwise, we will perish. Spiritualists know that life continues after the change called death. We also know that everything is choice and that the Natural Laws of the Universe are immutable. If we love we will be loved, and that is All. Spiritualists are fortunate, in having the Declaration of Principles to guide them in their understanding of what it means to live a life of courage and moral imagination. Principle Number Five, ‘Affirming communication with the so-called dead”, is a reminder to those on the earth plane that we can be guided by the wisdom of those who have gone before. Without spiritual guidance and unfolding how can anyone become the person that they were meant to be? The Natural Laws of the Universe are the blueprint of universal and timeless lessons that are present and immutable. They are the antidote to isolation and fear of living as the person who is capable of developmental potential that will benefit all of humanity.
It seems to me that the courage
to develop one’s creative potential is a forgotten piece in life. If we
think of the symbolism of the number three, we are reminded of the mutual
relationship of creativity as we work with God to develop an interpersonal
relationship where the awakening and creating of the integrated and courageous
authentic self may emerge. The awakening of creativity is akin to the
infinite fullness of fruitfulness. The more primary is the relationship, the
more productive it is and able to be the nurturing source of others. In
this garden of spiritual development, lies the creative groundwork for the
renaissance of the soul. It is my opinion that the most creative goal in
life is to strive to create oneself as his or her developmental potential.
Personal creativity, underscored with courage, is not a destination. It
is the sacred life journey towards integration and oneness with God. Existence
is rooted in God as the source of all being. May God bless us all and
grant us the wisdom to create peace within each living soul. This is the map of
the salvation of our entire world and our journey from Fear to Creativity.
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