It’s common these days for people to speak of soul’s purpose. Over 30 years ago when I began my conscious spiritual journey, few who weren’t religious even considered the subject. I’m still not religious, yet spirituality defines my life.  Answering the question of soul’s purpose can and does change everything – even asking can wake a person up to the greater reality happening within and around us.

Asking and answering this question moved me from living in misery into a life I love. Today, I express my soul’s purpose as: to grow, personally and spiritually, to experience unconditional love more consistently, and to be of service. All this is one way of saying that I love God.  Not the angry Zeus image of fundamentalist religion, but the experience of love and peace I feel inside when I accept and allow the omnipresent Holy Spirit.

Even when terror of God’s wrath kept me shamed and crying in childhood, and rage at Divine Source for the world’s atrocities fueled adolescent drug use, I loved God. My darkest hours were those when I attempted to disbelieve in a Creative Source Energy because I couldn’t reconcile the pain I felt with a benevolent universe.  Fortunately, the Source of All does not depend on my belief for It’s existence. 

A near death experience at age 19 showed me clearly that there is life beyond our earthly existence – and a benevolent Power alive in the cosmos. My shock in discovering that I matter to this Power propelled me into a lifelong search to understand, to connect with and be guided by, Divine Spirit, and to systematically dismantle the shame incorporated into every level of my being from early religious teachings. 

Memories of sitting joyfully in the woods from age three, peacefully connected with a mysterious yet ever present God Force and gave me a tiny bit of faith that life could be better during decades of desperate despair.  From a lifetime of severe depression, numerous suicide attempts, and 20 years of drug addiction, just that glimmer of faith brought me out the other side.

Through studying the world’s religions and various types of mysticism, I discovered that underneath the dogma, they all say the same thing! 

Before the manipulative politics disguised as spiritual teachings, behind various myths used to convey spiritual principles, the message remains consistent:

“God is love; This Spirit is everywhere, all the time; The kingdom of Heaven is within; Ask and you shall receive; Honor all life, including your Self, for life is the Divine made manifest; We are created in the image and likeness of God; Fear not, for God is love.”

So I searched and remembered and opened once again to experience the Creative Source of All, using every method I could find to release the fear and shame embodied when young. I allowed myself to be inspired by numerous messengers of many faiths, reminding us of who we really are and what earthly life can be.  When accepted, the potency of that consistent message can eradicate doubt and open all of us to live more joyously. 

From being a child who swore that she would never step foot in a church when grown, I became an Interfaith and Metaphysical Minister, helping others remember how to open to Spirit. Today I honor all spiritual paths, knowing they lead to the same Source. God is all there is and all there is, is God. Source Energy is everywhere, all the time.  Awareness of this set me free, opening a door to experience the Holy Spirit within me, beside me, around me – in everyone and everything.

Learning to be still and quiet enough to fully experience Divine Spirit living inside, allows me to see and hear It in everyone else, in all things. Oh yes, I still get caught in the illusions of this world, forgetting momentarily that we are all part of the same Energy, forgetting who I really am. Yet the grace of God flows always and the heart opens – to a smile, a bird, a tree, a song – and suddenly I remember:

All is well in heaven, and heaven is within. When I live this, I am at peace, in joy, grateful for all that is. This truth lives in all spiritual teachings and can set us free to know and live soul’s purpose. Truth has indeed set me free and life is good.  It’s definitely time.

Louisa is an Ordained Spiritual Counselor with a Masters in Holistic Psychology who works in person and by phone with those interested in personal and/or spiritual growth. With extensive clinical and life experience, she can meet you wherever you are in life’s journey. Visit www.louisadyer.com or email louisadyer@charter.net or call
828-658-1280.