If, as many believe, it is the purpose of all LIFE to know itself through ITs experience of life, it follows that our individual lives share that same purpose, to "know thyself" through our individual experiences. Every event and relationship, therefore, must serve that same purpose, not so much as "lessons", but as our life experience.

Over the last few months I have been aware that a dear, loving, somewhat enlightened friend has been experiencing more and more "troubles" in life. Health problems, relationship problems, business problems and financial problems have suddenly beset her, and the more she works and harder she tries, the worse things become. After meditation this morning, I suddenly had an understanding that fit all of the "problems" I have had in the past, and those of all the others I have seen.

This loving, caring BEing is part of a race known for its intelligence and ability to dominate the economy of a number of less developed countries, taking advantage of the circumstances and nature of other people. Favors extended to those in need are expected to be repaid multifold, and "obligation" is often used as a whip. Many have become extremely wealthy, and are viewed as shrewd, hard business people wherever they go. My friend, and other members of her family, have followed that pattern, as taught by their father, and have been successful in life, as she has until now.

I realized that much of that success was through using others for their own gain, often making them work long hours for little pay, knowing they had little choice in the matter. That, too, I see as part of the Divine plan where EACH person learns and assesses his own worth, and creates circumstances where he becomes dissatisfied and grows to overcome the oppression he cocreated.

Why, then, if the system has worked well for someone for many years, would it suddenly stop, and become beset with "troubles", as in the case with my friend? The answer is that she has grown beyond the old mentality, and can no longer use it as less aware beings still can.

As an analogy, picture two students, one in first and one in tenth grade. The first grader isn't expected to know too much, and behavior that would be totally unacceptable for the tenth grader is not only accepted, but totally forgiven. The tenth grader is expected to meet a far higher standard of behavior based on his greater knowledge and awareness. Society sets acceptable standards and all within it either meet those standards or are "punished" by society.

So it is with us. We know there IS an intelligence that is beyond the reasoning of our limited human brains, some force that guides and creates all life. As we grow in our awareness, that Intelligence (our "soul", if you like) keeps raising the bar for our acceptable behavior. Like society, it appears to "punish" us with "troubles" if we are not living in integrity with our newfound awareness. In reality, it is not punishment at all, but merely a gentle signal that we are not living the Truth that we now know.

Those still successful at using the "old" ways without "troubles" are actually living MORE in integrity with what they know than my friend, because they do NOT know any better. Like the first grader, they are following the ways of the world as they have been taught, and those ways WORK for them. My friend is truly a loving, caring BEing, and her soul IS guiding her to LIVE that Truth with integrity.

And so it IS with all of us, and I AM grateful.