Heaven Is "Being An Angel"
Friday, February 14, 2014
HEAVEN!
By
Francis William Bessler
Where is Heaven?
When I was a child, I was taught that Heaven is up above. If I asked where Heaven was, my parents would point up in the sky and say, “Up there, Son, Up there!” So I would look and see only sky - and clouds scattered about. I was told that I had to use my imagination to see Heaven up there. It was there. I just had to imagine it was there.
Well, I am now a much older child of 72 years. I still believe that Heaven is “up there,” but I have lived and learned to realize that it is not only “up there.” It is really everywhere because what is “up there” is also “down here.” I can prove that by going “up there” and scanning what is “up there” and comparing what I find - in terms of worth - to what is down below. How is what is “up there” any different from what is “down here”?
Take the test. Compare up with down - and then try to convince me that there is something “up there” that is somehow much worthier than what is down below. Look up into the sky. Focus on one part of it and divide what you see. Be honest, now! Is the left part to your imaginary middle any different than the right part - in terms of worth? Now, expand your vision. Take the whole world into your sight - by imagination, of course - and divide it right down the middle. How is it different than the sky you just looked at? If there was not more worth in the left side of your sky than in the right side of your sky, why in the world would the left side of all existence be any different than the right side of all existence? Tell me that!
Now, expand that all of existence test into an Infinity Test. Of course you cannot divide Infinity anymore than you can divide all of existence; but again, use your imagination and do it anyway. There it is - Infinity - a reality that has no ends or no limits. For the sake of adventure, go ahead and divide that Infinity that has no ends. Whoosh! Right down the middle of everywhere. Now compare the left side of everywhere with the right side of everywhere. What is the chance that the left side is somehow going to be more worthy than the right side - or the right side more worthy than the left side?
But what does all of this attempted division of expressions of reality tell us? In each case, we have determined that it is unlikely that the left side of anything can be more worthy than the right side of anything. That simply translates to everywhere and everything being equally worthy; and that translates into Heaven being everywhere. If Heaven can be defined as a “place of the worthy,” then everywhere can be defined as Heaven because everywhere is of equal worth.
Of course, I could be wrong in my thinking, but having taken the above tests long ago in life and having lived the answers I found, I think it is very unlikely I am wrong. Others, however, have not taken the above tests - and so they have not found any of my truths. Others are convinced that one place can be more worthy than another - and on that basis, they have concluded that Heaven cannot be everywhere. They have concluded that there must be a Heaven of seclusion somewhere and they are going to end up in that secluded Heaven - and nothing I can say will alter their thinking. They are going to find that secluded Heaven that must be “out there” - and that is all there is to that. End of story - End of search.
But where is this “secluded Heaven” of which they are so sure? No one can tell you where it is. It just is - because they have said it’s so. And how do they know there is a secluded or limited Heaven? Others who never took the division tests above told them so. They are, then, the students of others who have also “been told” by others who supposedly know the truth.
Well, that is a matter of opinion, of course. I like to think of Heaven being somewhere I am not too because I like to think there is somewhere I can go to alleviate all my pain and suffering. Who doesn’t want to believe there is such a place? And maybe there is such a place, too; and maybe I will go there eventually; but if I do go there, it will be because of the way I have lived - not the way I have believed.
Some think that Heaven is a place where God is. I agree with that. I do believe that is so, but since I do not believe that an Infinite God can be absent from anywhere, once again, everywhere must be Heaven. Not so, Not so! Some are shouting. God is not everywhere. God is only “where the angels are.” And, of course, “where the angels are” is where the demons are not.
Demons & Angels
Alright, let us investigate. What are “demons”? What are “angels”? I am somewhat limited in this discussion because I can only define what I can see. So if an angel is beyond what I can see, then I will have to leave a discussion of angels - and demons - to someone else who believes that angels - and demons - cannot be defined by what can be seen - and known. But what is an angel for me?
When I think of an angel, I think of one who is at peace. When I think of a demon - or devil - I think of one who is lacking in peace. My definition of an angel, then, is any spirit or entity that is at peace. Nothing more than that. My definition of a demon, then, is any spirit or entity that is angry and lacks peace.
According to that definition - or those definitions - then, I am an angel or a demon - as is each and every one of us. Are we not all either at peace or lacking in peace? Personally, I think I am a soul at peace with the world. Given Heaven as being defined as a place where angels live, well, folks, once again, where I am is Heaven.
Now, flip it over. If I am one who is angry and lacking peace, I am a demon; and if Hell is defined as a place where demons - or devils - live, then if I am a devil or demon, where I live is Hell. It really matters not about God being there or not being there. If I am a demon or live as a demon, then I am in Hell - if Hell is a place where demons live and Heaven is a place where angels live.
Given that I am an angel and know something about angels, we angels are not only ones who are at peace with the world, but we are also ones who have no need to impose on others. We are satisfied with ourselves, as it were, and in being satisfied with ourselves, we have no need to impose on others or insist that others do as we tell them to do. An angel is really only a “satisfied entity.”
A devil - or demon - on the other hand, is one who is not satisfied with self. Look about! Who can you see who is not satisfied with self? They are all about, aren’t they? In that light of defining a devil as one who is not satisfied with self, the churches have been scattered with demons. That is because the churches - or some churches - thrive on the idea that each of the members need some “outside grace” to be happy with life. That is a dictation for dissatisfaction, not satisfaction - with self.
That is not to say, however, that there are only demons in the churches. Certainly not! From my experience with churches - and especially with churches of the modern era - there are far more angels in the churches than demons. When and where there is Praise of God for the sake of praise, there are angels; and the churches abound with Praise of God; but to be sure, demons abide in churches as well. Wherever there is accusation against life, there are demons; and many in churches thrive on accusing others of sin or immorality rather than simply Praising God - or Infinity - or the Source of Life - or Life itself. Where there is accusation rather than praise, there are demons and not angels.
Imaginary or real, however, I will admit that I have had to deal with some demons in my life - or at least with “demonic notions” such as the false idea that “life is sinful and needs to be saved from itself.” So, I guess I know about demons too - or “demonic notions.” Before I came to the realization that everywhere is Heaven because everywhere contains God, as it were, I was vulnerable to seeing life as dividable between worthy and unworthy. Personally, I think that my “demons” have been more of the “notion kind” as opposed to “other person” kind; but they have been about - and I have had to deal with them.
The end of demons - or demonic notions - came for me, though, one night when I was still married to Dee, my first (of three) wives. Lying next to Dee on a night in 1973 or so, around the age of 31, I could not go to sleep for having a very troubled mind. I was not sure that I could be right about life being satisfactory unto itself because so many others around me were so sure that life itself is faulty and needs redeemed. I was scared to death that they might be right and I might be wrong. If I should die in a state of challenging that life is not worthy of itself, I could be whisked off to Hell; or so was my fear - as irrational a fear as it was; but I am not the only one to ever have irrational fears. Am I? Most fears, I think, are probably irrational in that which is feared either doesn’t exist or could be overcome by focusing on something more worthwhile.
Anyway, back to my troubled sleepless night in 1973 or so, as it happened, a fluttering curtain in the night eventually rescued me from my struggles. In my fear of being wrong, I imagined a curtain fluttering in the window of a dark night to be a real demon out to take me to his home - because of my “disbelief,” of course. Wanting to resolve that a devil was really out to get me for my disbelief - or not - though I was trembling at the prospect of being taken alive, I rose from my bed and investigated the scene.
Grabbing the “mysterious image” in the window, my fears were dispelled. That which I had feared was a demon was only a curtain fluttering in the wind. That curtain in the dark just looked like some foreboding rascal. So I told that “foreboding rascal” in the window to stop bothering me, dismissed forever the “demon” with which I had struggled - imaginary of course - and lay down next to my dear wife, Dee, and slept peacefully that night for the first time in weeks - and I am happy to report that I have slept peacefully ever since. Goodbye, demon! Goodbye, foreboding rascal! Goodbye, doubt!
It is hard to know about demons, though. I do believe that some are real - just as mine probably were imaginary. In a way, it stands to reason that if I am one to be dissatisfied with life, then I may also be one who is wanting to invite a “prince of peace” into my life to make me worthy; but how can I know that a spirit or entity who might visit me due to my invitation is really a “prince of peace” - or a fellow dissatisfied soul wanting to use me to try and satisfy him or her or itself?
It is said that “likes attract likes” - and I do believe that is so. If I am a soul - or entity - who is dissatisfied with life, how likely is it that I would attract anyone to me who is not also dissatisfied with life? Thus, in thinking I am receiving a Jesus into my life by inviting a savior in, I may well be receiving a fellow dissatisfied soul all too eager to pretend he is Jesus. Yes, my friend, it could be so.
Personally, I have never heard voices telling me I should do this or that - mostly to hurt another person because that is what angry and dissatisfied persons do - but I do believe it is possible that those who do hear voices may actually be hearing voices. If a soul is located somehow in a brain for the time a soul occupies a body, what is to say that “two souls” can’t occupy a single brain? If so, that could account for some people “hearing voices.” The voice they may be hearing may be another dissatisfied soul using the same brain to dictate to the original host. It may be so; and I do believe it is something to consider when dealing with someone who seems to be suffering from “mental illness.” It may be that mental illness is not due strictly to a brain disorder, but rather to multiple occupancy of a single brain by two different souls. Again, it may be something to consider.
And really, it is not much of a stretch to consider the possibility of two or more souls occupying the same brain - or person. If one soul can dwell in a brain, why not more than one? Multiple occupancy of a single brain could account for all sort of mental illness - like schizophrenia and bi-polar disorder. In a case where one “resident” of a mind (or brain) seems to be “controlled” by an invader, it may be so. That could account for one “hearing a voice” commanding him or her to do something that an initial resident would not do. It’s possible.
If so, however, if an initial resident of a mind is controlled by a foreign soul, the key for an initial soul to gain (or regain) control would be to simply not invite another in. For that to happen, an initial soul would simply have to be at peace and attain self-satisfaction - and not need another outside of him or herself for a sense of worth. Though I suppose it is possible that two souls could reside in a single host where the original host is at peace, I doubt very much that it happens. Satisfaction with self would likely prevent needing to invite a “savior” in; and that is why a satisfied soul may not be subject to “hearing voices.” Perhaps, Huh, Perhaps!
Unmasking The Soul
For what it’s worth, in 1989, I compiled a bit of a book on the soul - after pondering the matter for nearly ten years. If you ponder a matter, it is amazing what you might find. So in 1989, I decided to write down my thoughts about the soul, examining the various theories as to the origin and destiny of the soul, and even offering an idea or two of my own. I called the book SOULS - ILLUSIONS OR REALITIES?. In 1990, I sent out manuscripts to a lot of different publishers, but only one was interested - Winston-Derek, located in Nashville, Tenn.; and eventually that one declined to publish my book as well due to a “change of heart” by a managing editor. You see, my book challenged the ideas of most of this publisher’s authors - and it was decided that it would be unfair that my book be published and perhaps challenge all the other authors. So my work on the soul went unpublished.
Then in 2005, I rewrote the initial manuscript and called the rewrite - UNMASKING THE SOUL. When I decided to start my own original writings website in late 2012, my “new” book on the soul was added to Volume 2 of my OUT IN THE OPEN feature of my website. Accordingly, if you wish, you can review my ideas about the soul in that location - starting from page 90 of that volume. OK?
Be An Angel
It’s pretty simple, then, if an angel can be defined as one who is at peace with him or herself and the world at large, well - be an angel! Being an angel is nothing more than seeing the world as one - and failing to divide the world into so called “good” and “evil” camps. Yes, some of us are good in that we act good - and some of us are bad in that we act bad, or badly - but if you take the division test offered above, it is unlikely that there can be good and evil sections or territories in the universe - or existence. The key to being an angel, then, is to see only good because, in fact, only good exists. Even an evil person is a good reality in terms of being a Divinely inspired - or filled - entity. So just treat every person - good or evil acting - like they are good - and presto, one is an angel.
And when I die, whatever it is that comes afterwards, hey, I will just continue “being an angel” - or a devil, if that was my choice in the life that preceded my death. None of us really know for sure what the soul is - and some of us are convinced that the soul is as imaginary as a dream - but I think that it is probably safe to believe that if the soul does exist, it will continue as it is. So the key to assuring a wonderful next life is to live this life as wonderful and then just continue on with wonder in the next life. If, in fact, souls do exist to incarnate bodies, then by being an angel, one’s future is secured - as well as one’s present. If, in fact, however, souls do not exist to incarnate bodies and are just mirages of happening, well, being an angel in this life is still the best way to go because it is the only way of peace; and who wants to live in anger and despair?
As I see it - and believe it - I came into this life and this incarnation with a certain consciousness - which could be supposed as equal to “attitude.” Otherwise I could not have even challenged an idea that was prevalent - like Heaven can only be some place and not every place. I would have fallen in step with all my family who believe in a territorial Heaven and Hell if I had not entered with my own consciousness that told me otherwise.
Well, it stands to reason. If I entered this world with a certain consciousness, then I will probably leave it with the same consciousness - unless I alter that consciousness during life. If I exit this life with a certain consciousness, then it is likely I will enter another incarnation with the same consciousness. If I want to assure myself of a good life in the next realm of things, then, I better lead a good life now in order to inherit a “good me” afterwards. Makes sense. Right?
Old & New
Let me finish with a couple of songs - one old and one new. I wrote the “old” one in the early ‘80s for a four volume audio cassette album of original commentary and music I produced about life as I see it - Naturally Divine. Each volume is about 90 minutes long. What a joy that was! With the help of a lot of fine technicians and musicians - including singers - in Atlanta, Georgia, where I lived, MASTER OF YOUR OWN FATE, the name of the album, was produced. That project took me from 1983-1992 to accomplish because I could only afford to record one song at a time. I would work as much overtime as I could to earn money to pay for studio and musicians; and then I would record a bit on my program. It took a long time to complete a rather simple program; but eventually I finished it - with the help of a lot of very talented musicians and singers.
After finishing MASTER OF YOUR OWN FATE in 1992, I tried to find a sponsor who could help me promote it, but to no avail. Since then, audio cassette format has become obsolete. Perhaps some day I will convert the program to CD format - and try again; however, in order to be able to share MASTER OF YOUR OWN FATE with any who wish to review it now, I just produced a DVD series that I call THE STORY OF LOVE that features my MASTER OF YOUR OWN FATE dubbed onto a friends and family pictorial of photos I have taken from 2009 through 2013.
THE STORY OF LOVE is comprised of 3 DVD 3 hr. volumes - with Volumes 1 & 2 of MASTER OF YOUR OWN FATE dubbed onto Volume 1 of THE STORY OF LOVE. Volumes 3 & 4 of MASTER OF YOUR OWN FATE are dubbed onto Volume 2 of THE STORY OF LOVE; and Volume 3 of THE STORY OF LOVE features all the songs and music found in MASTER OF YOUR OWN FATE.
As you should know if you have been with me in this writing, I believe that life is good as it is and all should embrace the naked because of that. Volumes 1 & 2 of THE STORY OF LOVE contain only minimal asexual nudity, but Volume 3 of THE STORY OF LOVE features considerable personal asexual nudity mixed with clothed subjects photos. That was done to allow for the ideal of nakedness to be featured, but only in a special volume. That special volume is intended to be an optional only volume. Some may find nudity objectionable; and thus if so, one can audit MASTER OF YOUR OWN FATE on DVD without any nudity at all - except for one photo of me standing in a stream with back to camera and one photo of me sitting in a chair with legs crossed. Then if nudity is acceptable, a special volume allows for it.
THE STORY OF LOVE is so titled by virtue of one of the songs of MASTER OF YOUR OWN FATE called “The Story of Love.” I did this series just to make MASTER OF YOUR OWN FATE available, using somewhat low-tech mediums, however, anyone who wants to produce their own dubbed series featuring MASTER OF YOUR OWN FATE should consider themselves welcome to do so.
Hey, I think THE STORY OF LOVE is worthwhile, but I believe someone else could do a different - and probably better - production. My production is VHS based and is somewhat less quality than other mediums. In addition, my dubbing equipment is probably less quality too. Another could use my copy of MASTER OF YOUR OWN FATE and produce a more quality program. I would be open to another - or others - doing just that. Dub my MASTER OF YOUR OWN FATE onto some Naturalist based program of your choice and call your production what you will - and then be my guest on sharing your production with the world as you choose. Alright? If interested, simply let me know by email via my website - www.una-bella-vita.com - and I will be glad to make needed arrangements. OK?
In the meantime, if you would like a copy of THE STORY OF LOVE, as long as I can do so, I will be glad to make a copy for you. Simply request the volumes you wish, given my description of volumes above, and I will be glad to make a copy for you. Again, feel welcome to contact me via my website.
Anyway, the song I am featuring below that I wrote for MASTER OF YOUR OWN FATE is called Be An Angel - just one of 30 songs I wrote for the project. Be An Angel is the first song I will feature below.
The “new” song featured below, however, is really new. I wrote it now, I guess you could say, for this essay on HEAVEN. I call the song by the same name as this essay - Heaven.
Both songs are about Heaven, of course - and how I see Heaven. One can describe Heaven in terms of place - which is really everywhere - and one can describe Heaven in terms of conduct - which is what being an angel is all about. Take your pick - Heaven as a place - or Heaven as a conduct. In any case, I think it’s good to know what Heaven is about if we are ever to experience it - wherever it is.
I will leave you to my songs. Please enjoy them as you can and will. OK?
Thanks! (FWB)
Be An Angel
By
Francis William Bessler
Atlanta, Georgia
1983
Be an angel, be an angel, let me be me.
Be an angel, be an angel, don’t make me see.
Be an angel, be an angel, it’s really easy.
Be an angel, be an angel, go Naturally.
Be an angel, be an angel, don’t tell me lies.
Be an angel, be an angel, lies are not wise.
Be an angel, be an angel, to lie is to die.
Be an angel, be an angel, don’t compromise life.
Be an angel, be an angel, don’t scream at me.
Be an angel, be an angel, it’s you that can’t see.
Be an angel, be an angel, don’t imitate God.
Be an angel, be an angel, for God’s not a rod.
Be an angel, be an angel, it’s simple you know.
Be an angel, be an angel, take off your clothes.
Be an angel, be an angel, don’t live for dough.
Be an angel, be an angel, I love you so.
BRIDGE:
There’s no such thing as a bad angel.
There’s no such thing as a good devil.
There’s no such thing as a bad angel.
There’s no such thing as a good devil.
Angels are those who care for us all,
but who know it’s our way or no way at all.
Devils are those who would capture us all,
make us go their way or no way at all.
Be an angel, be an angel, obey no one else.
Be an angel, be an angel, live for yourself.
Be an angel, be an angel, don’t live in Hell.
Be an angel, be an angel, for Hell’s someone else.
Be an angel, be an angel, don’t step in my way.
Be an angel, be an angel, don’t ask me to pay.
Be an angel, be an angel, light up my day.
Be an angel, be an angel, go your own way.
Be an angel, be an angel, don’t be a leach.
Be an angel, be an angel, never deceive.
Be an angel, be an angel, don’t hang on me.
Be an angel, be an angel, let me be me.
Repeat BRIDGE. Then repeat last verse, duplicating last line.
Heaven
By
Francis William Bessler
Laramie, Wyoming
2/2014
REFRAIN:
Let me tell you about a place called Heaven,
a place called Heaven, a place called Heaven
where you can reside.
All you have to do to live in Heaven,
to live in Heaven, to live in Heaven,
is to know that - you are God’s child.
Where is Heaven, my friend?
It’s where you are.
Look up in the sky
and find a star.
Imagine you’re there
and you can know
there’s no more God there
than on the Earth below. Refrain.
What is Heaven, my friend?
It’s knowing you belong.
Be proud of what you are
and sing your song.
There is no room in Heaven
for a thing called shame.
If you’re ashamed of yourself,
you’ve got yourself to blame. Refrain.
Where is Heaven, my friend?
It’s in your dreams.
It’s up in the mountains
and down in the streams.
It’s in the fish that swim
and in the squirrels that lurch;
and, yes, it’s even in all
who praise in a church. Refrain.
What is Heaven, my friend?
It’s having an open mind.
It’s knowing all are worthy
and it’s being kind.
It’s believing Life is a miracle
that’s full of majesty.
Each is part of that miracle
and is a king or a queen. Refrain.
Where is Heaven, my friend?
It’s in yourself.
It’s in all that you see,
all that you feel and smell.
It’s in all the sounds you hear,
all that you love to taste.
It’s knowing that all of this
is what makes Life great. Refrain (2).
Ending:
All you have to do to live in Heaven,
to live in Heaven, to live in Heaven,
is to know that - you are God’s child -
is to know that - you are God’s child -
to know that - you are God’s child.