From the Heart: The Holiest Place on Earth

       It was one of those days when the world was supposed to come to an end. The planets had achieved the crucial alignment, the ancient prophecies were being fulfilled, and psychics confirmed this would be the turning point.Hordes of people were rushing to safety at spiritual power places around the globe. Others had gone on shopping sprees and ran up huge credit card bills after being advised the world economic system was going to crash. Others said goodbye to non-believer loved ones. This was it.

      I was flying over Europe with a group that had just completed a spiritual pilgrimage. A little girl in the group, age 8, was fearful because she had heard the prophecies. She went to the leader of the group and asked her if, upon landing, we would be taken to a power place where the earthquakes or flood waters could not reach us. The leader took the girl’s hands, looked heri n the eyes, and told her, “Don’t you worry, darling. You are the power place. When you dwell in your spiritual strength,you are safe wherever you are.”

      Truer words have never been spoken.

      In my many travels I have been blessed to visit some of the most sacred sites in the world: the Pyramids of Giza, Machu Picchu, the vortices of Sedona, Mt. Shasta, Mt. Fuji, Jerusalem, and more. I have immensely enjoyed all of these pilgrimages and felt blessed to connect with the energies there. They are all truly wondrous.

      ThenI came across a quote from A Course in Miracles that made me rethink the definition of a sacred site: “The holiest spot on earth is where an ancient hatred has become a present love.”

      Hmmm.

      The Course is telling us that because we are spiritual beings at our core, it is the state of our spirit, not geography, that empowers us and makes us safe. Any place where we recognize the presence of God is a power place, which includes right where we stand.  The Course also tells us that the fastest route to enlightenment is through elevating our relationships and choosing love where we once chose fear. When you achieve a healing in a relationship and you replace judgment with forgiveness, you are standing on the holiest spot on earth.

      The ego prescribes horizontal or geographical cures for our pain. If we just changed our relationship partner, job, or living situation, all would be well.But if you leave a job or relationship without healing the issues that caused you to want to leave, you will just recreate the same situation. Effective changes in the outer world must be preceded by changes in mind, heart, and attitude.When we achieve inner healing, outer changes flow naturally and organically, with the least effort and no stress.

      The world we see is a screen upon which we project our thoughts. If we entertain thoughts of safety we will see a safe and kind world. If we entertain fear thoughts, we will see threat wherever we turn. The world has no reality or substance except that which we give it with our mind. If you feel vulnerable, the place to turn for safety is within. The spiritual guide Bashar says, “Either you are secure or you are not. There is no such thing as partial security. You must decide the nature of the universe you live in. I assure you that you are secure.”

      It’s uplifting to visit places considered sacred and spiritually powerful. Just remember that what makes them powerful is the intentions you bring to them. You believe you are visiting a physical place with certain attributes, but you are really visiting a place in your mind. That place is available to wherever you are. A spiritual master finds God in places that others do not. As William Blake poetically described, “To see a World in a Grain of Sand And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand And Eternity in an hour.”

      You have the power to transform any situation and make it holy. The best way to do this is to search your life for relationships that have been commandeered by fear, and liberate those relationships with love. It’s easier to fly to Machu Picchu than face your exand create harmony where there was enmity. But that is the work before us. People ask me, “How can I connect with my angels?” I tell them, “Find the angels within the devils in your life, and legions of angels will flock to you.” They tell me, “I wish I were at the last supper with Jesus.” I tell them, “Make it through Thanksgiving dinner without getting upset with your relatives, and Jesus will find you. Make that the last supper you give your power away. ”

       We tend to seek salvation in distant times and places, when it is already here for the asking. To create heaven on earth, take earthly situations and lift them to heaven. Then we will really be getting somewhere.

Alan Cohen is the author of many popular inspirational books, including the best-selling A Course in Miracles Made Easy. Become a certified professional lifecoach through Alan’s popular Life Coach Training beginning September 1. For more information about this program, Alan’s books and videos, free daily inspirational quotes, online courses, and weekly radio show, visit www.alancohen.com