Thoughts on the process of transformation

Istiqlál (Independence), 12 Jamál (Beauty), 165 B.E. – Friday, May 9, 2008 about 7:13 PM PDT

It's Friday night and I'm weary. I'm think about some of my recent entries, which appear to have nothing to do with the process of transformation and a butterfly emerging from her cocoon. However, as I contemplate transformation and the entries, I realize that many of them were about family. Family assists in the individual's transformation.

On the material plain, we are like the child in the womb of the mother. Here we acquire the attributes we need to live in the next world. The attributes required to live in that world are faith, love, joy, and forgiveness. In this world, we practice those attributes. The families help an individual practice and develop those attributes in this world. When we pass into the spiritual realm these attributes will help us live to our fullest.

It's within the family that we begin to develop these attributes. The individual begins developing these attributes from the moment of birth. However, sometimes we let the changes and chance of the material world come between our souls and us. When we do this the soul is covered with a dross that hides it and interferes with it's development.

As we grow in the family, we learn to love and forgive.
As we grow live in our family, we encounter tests and difficulties.
As with grow and live in our family begin to become are true selves.