A ROSE OR AN HERB

FLOWER, HERB, OR WEED?

Reading, discussing, studying, thinking, or any other form of intellectual pursuit may play a role in helping us find our Higher Power. But we don't experience our Higher Power unless we put our principles into action. When we practice our principles, we set ourselves free so that our behavior does not stand between us and our Higher Power.

The insights we get from reading, discussing, studying, thinking, and so on, are healthy food for thought. But, to gain the freedom that comes from feeling our Higher Power, we need to practice the principles.

Have I stopped intellectualizing about God?

- Day by Day by Anonymous copyright 1975

Reading, discussing, studying, thinking, or any other form of intellectual pursuit may play a role in helping us find our Higher Power. But we don't experience our Higher Power unless we put our principles into action. When we practice our principles, we set ourselves free so that our behavior does not stand between us and our Higher Power.
The insights we get from reading, discussing, studying, thinking, and so on, are healthy food for thought. But, to gain the freedom that comes from feeling our Higher Power, we need to practice the principles.
Have I stopped intellectualizing about God?
- Day by Day by Anonymous copyright 1975

“Religious Experience” is different for everyone, and is dependent on the level of spirituality attained (how much you have grown in your beliefs, where you are on your Path or Journey).

Your Path is your Way of Life, consisting of your beliefs and actions. Your Journey is traveling on that Path. The more you grow in your beliefs, the more they become incorporated in your everyday life, the farther you Journey on your Path. (Some Journeys are out-of-body experiences, but they are not discussed here.)

When many Paths converge to form a Healing Garden (Circle/Group/etc), a variety of “flowers & herbs” are needed. A Healing Garden is not only made of beautiful flowing plants, but also weedy looking herbs. Many of the beautiful flowing plants are only there for one season and must be replanted every year. Some of the weedy looking herbs are perennial so stay in the garden year after year. Some herbs are beautiful flowering plants, but some are weedy looking. Some beautiful flowering plants are herbs, but some are weeds. Infinite diversity in infinite combinations (IDIC to borrow a phrase).

“Annuals” are those who need to be recharged or renewed frequently and need the presence of others. They have not traveled very far on their Path, or may not even have found their Path. The beginning traveler has not incorporated beliefs and actions into a way of life. Actions do not always correspond to beliefs.

“Perennials” are those who have traveled on their Path for some time and have incorporated beliefs and actions into a way of life. Actions complement beliefs. The need to be recharged or renewed can be accomplished alone by meditation or communing with the Supreme Being.

Most people are somewhere in between.

“Herbs” are those used to heal or to “season” others. These people are often teachers. There are many different kinds (qualities/talents/gifts) with many different uses. Some are “flowers”, drawing the attention of others. Some are “weedy looking’, often ignored by others but recognized by “perennials” for the truth of their being. All are necessary.

“Weeds” are those who want to “fit in” but don’t really have their beliefs installed. Some may be “flowers” drawing many to them. They are often disruptive and argumentative. They can undermine the “garden”, especially the “annuals”, if not recognized for what they are.

Which are you?

Even when walking in a party of no more than three I can always be certain of learning from those who I am with. There will be good qualities that I can select for imitation and bad ones which will teach me what requires correction in myself.

--Confucius

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