What if Jesus had Lived to 60?

July 15, 2026July 15, 2026 / Lauri Ann Lumby / 2 Comments

At sixty-one years old, I find myself contemplating the spirituality of aging and how, perhaps, our calling and mission might change as we move beyond the enthusiasm and excitement of our twenties and thirties and into an entirely different experience that we are just beginning to realize. Contemplating the changing nature of my own call, it hit me, Jesus died at thirty-three! What would his life have looked like if he had lived past that excitable age? For those of us who have lived through those fruitful years, we remember the passion and excitement that fueled our discovery, our hunger for learning, and the feeling of being compelled to share what we knew, along with the transformative power of what we had only begun to explore.

To put it bluntly, in our thirties, we believed we knew everything that it was our job to inform everyone else. Ah….the innocence of youth.

At sixty-one, we know better (at least I hope we do). The truth we begin to realize as life whittles away at our “confidence” (ie: pride) is that we truly know nothing. Whereas formerly we were certain we knew the nature of God, we understood God’s Truth, we believed in “His” loving care and protection. As life has its way with us, we come to realize we know nothing about God, his plan (if there is one), or his truth. We also learn first-hand that maybe God doesn’t really have our back, and we cannot trust in his protection.

Have I grown cynical in my old age? Perhaps, but let’s look at Jesus for a minute. If we have called Jesus our teacher, read the story of his life, and attempted to understand and apply his teachings, we see that in the life of “God’s own son” there was no protection. God couldn’t even get his own son off the cross, so what possibly could “He” do to save us from the struggles of our own lives? Instead, God’s most beloved (as we were taught) was ridiculed, condemned, and murdered. Jesus failed in his mission and God did nothing to save him or ensure his success. (The “salvation” brought about by the resurrection notwithstanding.)

Jesus was plucked from his life right in the middle of the age of enthusiasm. Of course he was eager and excited to share what he had come to know (thought he had come to know) about God. He then went forth with the sense of mission and purpose consistent with his chronological age.

What would have happened if instead of being killed in the crucifixion, Jesus had somehow lived? Would he be doing in his sixties what he had been doing at thirty-three? I kinda doubt it. The enthusiasm and passion of youth are simply not sustainable into old age. Would Jesus (as God’s son) been granted some sort of dispensation from the natural quieting of age? Perhaps – but just for a minute, let’s pretend that Jesus was 100% human (along with being 100% Divine). Human nature is human nature and if Jesus was meant to live humanness in its entirety, and lived into old age, I truly believe his mission would have changed. It had to have.

For the sake of pondering, let’s just pretend Jesus survived being betrayed by his closest friends and companions and then condemned by his community as a heretic. Would he have stuck around, continuing his efforts of “sharing the good news” publicly? I think perhaps not. There would have been a natural attrition due to the scandal that accompanied him. The hundreds that once followed him would have returned to their regular lives and their devout membership that guaranteed their acceptance in the institution. The disciples, after betraying and abandoning Jesus would have retreated into their shame and returned to their former lives. Those who remained would have been the ones who truly believed and who had remained with Jesus up until the “end.” Even if after being banished by the Church Jesus continued to preach, and teach, and heal, it would have likely been on a much smaller scale. “Not shouting or crying out or raising his voice in the street. (Isaiah 42).” Eventually, he would have realized that his awakening (the discovery of that which brought him into the experience of Union with God in peace) was for him alone and that each and every human would eventually discover this on their own and in their own way. Further, he may have come to see that no one needed saving and that God was and would always be in charge. As an aged man, Jesus may have set aside the effort of attempting to save people that don’t need saving and the natural exhaustion that comes from that effort, and retreated into a quiet contemplative life where he could simply be – while perhaps taking up, again, the practice of carpentry that first showed him the peace present in mindful activities.

Of course we will never know what would have happened if Jesus had lived into old age, but this is one of the ideas I ponder as facing the reality of my own so-called calling. I’ve lived the enthusiastic part. I’ve spent time teaching, guiding, and supporting people’s healing. I’ve been awakened out of my own innocence to the realities of life and its suffering and have learned first-hand that God’s provision and protection are not what I once thought or had been taught.

This doesn’t mean I don’t still look to “God” for help (Psalm 54). Instead of looking outside of myself, I look within. As life and its hardships are swirling around me, God is there in the silence. God is there in the peace that arises when we move past the chaos, tragedies, and distractions of life. God is where God has always been – in stillness. “Be still and know that I am God. (Psalm 46).”

And today, I am the words of Rhea Rainwater that sustain me:

“A tired heart leaning into silence.”

Starting a Spiritual Practice – Getting Started

July 10, 2026 / Lauri Ann Lumby / Leave a comment

Part II of a series

Defining a Spiritual Practice

A spiritual practice is ultimately anything that helps you to connect with your higher self, God/dess, highest truth; and that which leads us to an experience of peace, contentment, focused attention, fulfillment, completion and love. You are probably already engaging in some sort of activity in your daily life that brings you to these kinds of experiences—cooking, gardening, exercising, painting, drawing, house cleaning, parenting, making love, etc. etc. etc. When you realize what it is you are already doing that brings you to these experiences and then bring the intention of it as being your spiritual practice, you deepen the experience.

The content that will follow is intended to introduce a variety of traditional spiritual practices so that in addition to what you are already doing, you might carve out 15-30 minutes a day specifically devoted to your spiritual practice. Diligent attention to our spiritual practice provides a myriad of benefits including decreased stress, increased peace and relaxation, increased productivity and creativity. It just makes us happier and scientific research is beginning to prove that a regular mindfulness practice helps to support our physical health and wellbeing.

Getting Started

As mentioned on the previous newsletter there is no right or wrong way to meditate or to enter into spiritual practice. I have learned, however, that there are certain things we can do to be successful in our goal. SHOWING UP for our spiritual practice. Remember…the only goal is to SHOW UP. The following steps may help you to do this.

Set aside a regular time each day for your spiritual practice where you can be
uninterrupted for 15-30 minutes. For many people, this is first thing in the morning,
but choose a time that works for your own personal bio-rhythms.
Choose a special place in your home or office that is designated as your place for your
spiritual practice. It might be a certain chair in your living room, your drawing easel,
maybe you have the luxury of setting up a meditation corner or room.
Have the tools that you need for your practice near your chosen place – your journal, a
bible, writing utensils, maybe a candle or incense burner, a blanket.
Turn off any potential distractions – phones, computers, pagers, etc.
Create a ritual that helps you to enter into your practice. Light a candle. Burn
incense. Say a prayer. Bow to your sacred space.

The 21-day Miracle

It is said that it takes 21 days to start a new habit. A daily spiritual practice of meditation, contemplation, mindfulness or prayer is simply a habit that you are entering into on purpose. It has been my experience, and one that I share with my students and clients, that if you dedicate the next 21 days to your spiritual practice, SOMETHING will happen within those 21 days that will make you NEVER want to miss your practice. This something will be so amazing that you will want to make your practice a priority and do it every day. I know it happened for me and I am now on over 30 years of a daily practice!

Let me know the miracle that you experience within those 21 days!

Starting a Spiritual Practice – Laying the Foundation

July 5, 2026July 5, 2026 / Lauri Ann Lumby / 1 Comment

Part I of a series

Meditation has proved to be the single-most valuable tool through which I have birth to my Soul and a tool I recommend to clients and students. The purpose of this series is to offer helpful support for those who may be new to meditation as a spiritual practice and to provide additional resources for experienced meditators.

Starting and maintaining a spiritual practice is dependent on finding a style and format that works for you and practicing it. Here I offer guidance on a wide variety of spiritual practices with the hopes that you will find one or two that work for you.

It is said that it takes twenty-one days to start a new habit. I promise that if you practice meditation daily for twenty-one days that something will happen in those twenty-one days that convinces you to NEVER miss your meditation practice. You will find it to be as necessary as food, water and shelter and you will choose to do it because you find it so life-giving.

Defining Spiritual Practice

Dispelling Myths

The following myths have been propagated in regards to meditation as a spiritual practice. None of these myths (from my perspective as an experienced meditator and Spiritual Director) are true.

• Meditation has a goal.

• The goal of meditation is silencing of the mind.

• There is a right and a wrong way to”do” meditation.

• If you reach the state of peace, you did it right….if not, you did it wrong.

• An empty mind is the devil’s playground.

• Meditating makes you a “better” person.

• Only enlightened/holy people meditate.

• Meditation is the path to enlightenment.

• Sitting in silence is the only valid form of meditation….or it is the preferred method.

• Meditation is an Eastern practice and cannot be practiced by Christians.

• Eastern meditation practices are dangerous.

• Lay people cannot meditate.

Secrets to Your Success

The goal of spiritual practice is “NO GOAL.” Your job is to simply show up. Striving after
a goal (other than showing up) will prove to be an obstacle to your practice.

There is no right or wrong way to meditate.

If you find that state of inner calm and peace…..it is PURE GRACE…..not something you
received because you finally meditated the right way or enough times.

There is a rich tradition of meditation and contemplation in the Hebrew and Christian
traditions.

It is in the emptiness that we find God/Goddess/Love/Truth. We are also invited to
find God/dess in the midst of the chaos.

Meditation can be receptive (listening, sitting, being) or active (expressing, moving,
giving, processing).

Meditation encompasses many formats and practices including but not limited
to: meditative reading of sacred texts, journaling, sitting in silence, movement (yoga,
tai chi, dance, etc.), chant, listening to music, daydreaming, paying attention to our
dreams, mindfulness practices, acts of service, making love, being present to our family and friends, being out in nature, creative expression, painting, drawing, cooking, cleaning, etc. etc. etc.

A spiritual practice is anything that helps us connect with God/dess, peace, love, joy,
flow, compassion, harmony, forgiveness, mercy, ecstasy.

In the Western tradition, Meditation refers to the reflective thoughts in the mind. In the
Eastern Tradition, meditation is understood to mean sitting in silence. Contemplation is the term used in the Western tradition to refer to sitting or being in silence with God/dess

The only danger in meditation or contemplation is connecting with your truth.
Warning: Truth can be a dangerous thing if we are not prepared or if we do not have the
support for accepting and processing it. As Gloria Steinem said, “The truth will set you
free, but first it will kick your butt.”

Meditation may lead you to enlightenment, if that is your path in this life;, it will help
you to be a happier, more peaceful and more loving human being.

From the Hebrew and Christian perspectives, meditation and contemplation will
empower you to experience the Kingdom of God/dess right here, right now, in this
life. You will discover that you don’t have to die to know the peace and love of God/dess.

Meditation can be practiced by ANYONE……regardless of your race, color, creed,
education, status, position of power, ordained or not, etc. etc. etc.

Stay tuned for the next topic in this series: Starting a Spiritual Practice! Copyright Lauri Ann Lumby

Being Gentle with Ourselves

December 14, 2025 / Lauri Ann Lumby / 1 Comment

It is near impossible to ignore the death throes of the dying empire. We are bombarded with the symptoms every day – often every minute of every day. It is constant and relentless.

What we may forget to heed, however, is the credit we are due for enduring the constant assault on our being – our bodies, minds, and spirits are all suffering from the assault of a world gone mad. Admittedly, “enduring” might be overreach when on most days simply surviving feels like an enormous effort. The fact that you’re reading this, however, tells me that at the very least, you are surviving. Perhaps just by the skin of your teeth – but you’re still here. That’s the point.

The dying world is not meant to destroy us (though there will be those destroyed by the collapse). It will test and challenge us. In direct opposition to our conditioning, the purpose of the test is not so that we might exert our strength or bolster our will. Instead, the invitation in the face of the dying system is to learn how to be soft. Instead of toughening us, the empire’s collapse is meant to make us more gentle. Gentle with ourselves – and others.

Learning to be gentle starts with ourselves. It begins with a thorough examination of our conditioning and all the ways we were ridiculed, condemned, criticized or rejected for being sensitive, kind, quiet, compassionate, caring, sharing, and gentle. The examination continues by exploring how our conditioning told us how we should be instead: strong, brave, courageous, competitive, tough, bullet-proof, etc. In the world that is dying, we have not been rewarded for being gentle – only for being tough. The new world that we are moving into will reward us for being gentle.

Choosing that new world starts today. Give yourself credit for the suffering you have endured in your life thus far. Acknowledge the losses, betrayals, deceptions, and heartbreaks you have suffered. If you have suffered trauma, offer yourself grace when your past traumas are triggered. Give yourself permission to do nothing, to wallow, to “rot” (as Gen Z’s say). If your panic or fear are triggered and your brain goes numb, allow yourself to check out. Be quiet. Be still. BE NON-Productive (our value is NOT determined by our productivity – as much as we’ve been told otherwise)! Defy the capitalistic, patriarchal expectations around striving after achievement, seeking to be known or seen. Popularity does not determine our value! When you’re feeling sad – be sad. Weep, cry, wail, flail. Do whatever you need to do to be present with your feelings and then take a rest. Nap. Sleep. Read. Listen to music. Take a day or three to do absolutely nothing. Hide under the covers. Retreat into your cave. Walk slowly and gently. Be conscious of your breathing and slow it down. Close your eyes and just listen to the quiet of the universe. Meditate. Pray. Be simple with your meals. No one expects you to be Martha Stewart. Say no to invitations. Don’t buy into the shoulds of holidays. Skip the decorations and the pressure.

And more than any of this – be gentle with yourself. Cease from judging your feelings and just accept them as they are. Don’t condemn yourself for your sensitivity – celebrate it. Hold yourself in gently fierce loving care when you feel like you are falling apart. Be compassionate with yourself when you break down or shut down or dissociate. Don’t measure your day by how you are feeling. If it takes you 3 days or a week to get through a trigger response, then that’s exactly what you needed. Celebrate your willingness to give yourself exactly what you need.

Journeying through the collapse of an empire is an experience like no other. As it’s been several hundred years since the most recent collapse of western civilization, we’re entitled to feel burdened and overwhelmed. We also know from the past that it is not the loud or the brave who survived, but those who knew how to move quietly, slowly, even invisibly, and who more than anything, knew how to be loving toward themselves, gentle and caring toward others. Let this be our invitation as we navigate the death throes – that our gentleness be our salvation.

Everything is a Practice

December 7, 2025 / Lauri Ann Lumby / Leave a comment

Finding our way along the journey of self-actualization and personal mastery, we eventually come to the realization that everything is a practice. Whereas the early stages of our journey may have put us on the path to setting time aside each day for a dedicated mindfulness, contemplation, or meditation practice, we soon come to find out that our dedicated practice begins to spill out into the everyday experiences of our lives. Soon, everything becomes grist for the mill as we work to heal all within us that separates us from our original nature as love, while continuing to love the pieces that are not yet healed.

For me, this “everything practice” showed up in one extremely subtle and another powerfully obvious way.

I’ll begin with the extremely subtle: I’ve been noticing in my daily practice an almost undetectable sorrow. It showed itself as a sorrow I could not initially name, but felt very deep and infinitely small. When I reached toward this sorrow, I perceived it as a tiny dot, no bigger than the end of a pencil. As it my practice, I’ve spent this week “working” on that dot of sorrow. Going toward it (instead of away). Pointing to it and “sending” healing. Holding the sorrow and asking what it had to say to me or teach me. The goal of this practice is to simply show up to that sorrow. In my experience, the fruits of this kind of practice eventually lead to healing and release, or alternatively, the revelation of something hiding behind the sorrow that seeks to be known. I’m still working on this piece, but I have gotten a glimpse of the original wound of separation that is just beyond this sorrow. That glimpse nearly gave me a panic attack, but I know that the only way to continue healing that wound is to stay with it.

The powerfully obvious way that everything presented itself as practice arose in a fit of rage. Without boring you with the gory details, suffice it to say that the rage was in the form of ranting resentment over a need for which I had requested support. The support was denied. To be honest, as I write this, I’m still pissed. First – because I rarely ask for help. Second because I should have known better.

What I do know, however, is that beyond the ranting and raving (which are appropriate inner responses to our needs not being met) is an old wound showing itself for another layer of healing – the wound of unmet needs. This is a pretty universal wound in that most people can share stories, experiences, conditioning, etc. in which their needs have gone unmet, or been flat-out rejected. Every time we have the courage to ask for help, and it is denied, a part of us feels like it has died. Heap up a lifetime of rejected and unmet needs, and the wound becomes a gaping hole. For myself personally, this is a wound I’ve given much time and attention to in the form of transformational practices. And, just like most everyone else, it’s a wound that still needs love. First, we have to work on healing the wound of rejection. Next, we tackle the wound of unmet needs. Finally, we do the work of meeting our own needs while setting appropriate boundaries around those who, due due to their own unhealed wounds (likely), are unable to be a reciprocal source of support for others.

From the very subtle to the greatest of charged emotions, everything is our self asking to be seen, known, and loved. This love, ultimately, is what our practice is all about.

Perfection vs. Wholeness

November 4, 2025 / Lauri Ann Lumby / Leave a comment

There exists a major flaw in the new age, self-improvement, enlightenment, and ascension industries:

The goal of human development is not perfection.

Instead, it is wholeness.

Wholeness means that we are content and grounded in ourselves “warts and all.” Whereas we may be ever-striving for personal growth, individuation, and self-actualization, we have moved beyond picking apart and shaming ourselves for the inherent imperfections of being human. While self-awareness and personal accountability provide evidence of psychological and emotional maturity, wholeness allows for the fact that mistakes will still occur and that our value is not diminished by those mistakes. Wholeness empowers us to understand that the mind is going to do what the mind is meant to do – which is to keep us safe, and that our thoughts alone have absolutely nothing to do with the events of our lives. We have gained the wisdom in acknowledging that life happens and that we are neither the creator nor the destroyer of our fate. When illness or tragedy strike, we allow ourselves time and space for grieving without the added burden of the shame-based beliefs that these were somehow our fault because of our thinking or punishment for something we did “wrong.”

Wholeness understands that life itself is neutral and free from judgment. Life is not out to get people. Neither does life choose favorites. Each human being is here for their own journey – a journey that really has nothing to do with our own. Wholeness leaves each to their own. This does not mean, however, that in wholeness we don’t judge, condemn, curse, or rage about the actions of another. This is simply us being human. Life doesn’t judge. Humans do.

Wholeness allows for the gritty aspects of our humanness. Whereas we may be actively pursuing a reduction in judgement (of self and others), a decrease in anxiety, a lessening of rage, a dwindling of jealousy, we recognize that we are not here to be perfect, we are here to be human.

As human beings, we are perfectly imperfect. So what if we rage on about the injustices in our world, or hold grudges against those who have harmed us? None of these means we have failed in our desire to ascend, grow in enlightenment, or become self-actualized. In fact, if we can forgive ourselves of our humanness, and take each “mistake” as a lesson, then we have successfully grown in wholeness.

Wholeness, not perfection is the purpose of the human journey. Isn’t it time we shake free of the burden of shame, including that which has been heaped upon us by a self-help industry wrapped up in its own illusions of perfection while denying people of the Love that they already are?

Enriching Your Practice

Click on the images below to learn more.

The Secular Modern Monastic

October 14, 2025 / Lauri Ann Lumby / Leave a comment

Well, I had planned on presenting this topic in my own words, but as it turns out, Google did a much better job:

A secular modern monastic is a person who lives a life of discipline, prayer, and service within the secular world, without adhering to traditional religious rules like celibacy or cloistered living. These individuals find spiritual fulfillment through practices like meditation, mindfulness, and a commitment to self-improvement or community work, often within the context of their existing family and career lives. This approach emphasizes spiritual practices over religious dogma and is sometimes seen as an alternative to traditional religion for those who still seek a disciplined and purpose-driven life.

Key characteristics

Integration into modern life:

Rather than leaving society, secular monastics practice their spirituality within it, engaging in daily activities with a monastic mindset.

Focus on self-improvement:

A common theme is working on oneself, which can include practices like meditation and personal development.

Service-oriented:

Like traditional monks, secular monastics often engage in acts of service, though their methods are adapted to a modern context.

Community-based:

Some groups form communities that support each other in their practices and daily lives.

Flexibility:

These movements are often diverse and flexible, creating their own “rules of life” that are adaptable to a secular framework.

Spiritual practice over dogma:

The focus is on the practice of prayer, meditation, and contemplation, rather than on religious doctrine or supernatural beliefs.

With a couple of my own edits, this pretty much sums it up.

The Secular Modern Monastic isn’t an entirely new creation as there have always been individuals outside of traditional monasticism who have felt called to a more gentle, contemplative way of life. The Desert Mothers and Fathers, and the Beguines are two such examples of contemplative people forging their own path – the former in solitude away from society, the latter a community of individuals living their monastic calling in the midst of their everyday lives – connected through their common call.

Monastics have always been with us, and their purpose has always been the same. While sometimes emerging out of a specific religious tradition, their true purpose transcends belief or doctrine. Instead, they – WE are here to show humanity another way. We are here to show humanity a way out of the imprisonment of the human condition – one that is most often ruled by fear and producing non-loving behaviors that arise out of that fear. Fear is ultimately what compels humans to be gluttonous, selfish, greedy, envious, slothful, vengeful, and vain. Out of their spiritual practice and journey of self-discovery and improvement, secular monastics have learned to transform their fear, coming more and more fully to understand their original nature as Love. Love then, rather than fear, becomes the guiding force of their life which allows them to escape the mechanisms of fear used by the overriding culture.

Modern secular monastics defy the status quo. We are immune to the ministrations of the ruling system of power and control. Not only do we not fit into the system, it is nearly impossible for us to dwell within it. It is for this reason that many find themselves outside the system.

In those newly discovering their monastic calling, the question of community will often surface. As one client has frequently asked, “where do we go?” The answer is simple – we go within. In my experience, there are no formal communities that can hold the secular modern monastic. Instead, we are invited to let community redefine itself. For me, the answer to the question of community is simple: Community has found me. This community is made up of a random and unrelated group of individuals who have all gathered around a specific intention – to be a force of Love in the world. I count among this community my biological family, friends, former and existing clients and students. Some live near me, but the vast majority are scattered around the world doing their own thing and shining their own light. What is common among them is that they are somehow connected to me (I know, weird).

Ultimately, there is no one specific form of secular modern monasticism. When we allow it, it takes on the exact form that we need – a form that we may never have expected.

New Program Launch Special

October 10, 2025 / Lauri Ann Lumby / Leave a comment

The Magdalene Order of Melchizedek

The Primordial Tradition of Mysticism and Magic

Ancient tools and practices for attaining Divine Union.

The Magdalene Order of Melchizedek, created and facilitated by Lauri Ann Lumby, OM, OPM, MATS, is a two-year training program with the goal of supporting participants in attaining and maintaining Divine Union. Drawing from the ancient mystical system of the Kabbalah, participants will gain knowledge and effective tools for healing the deep inner separation that prevents them from knowing their true nature and origin in Love. Remembering union with Love, participants become a vessel through which wholeness and Love are made manifest in our world.

The Magdalene Order of Melchizedek is made up of six individual courses completed in succession and includes 6 one-on-one mentoring sessions with Lauri Ann Lumby.

Program Value: $3700.00

Two payment options:

Single payment of $3000.00

Payment Plan: 18 payments of $189.00 each.

Go here to learn more and make your purchase

Kabbalah

Tarot

Divination

Ritual

Mysticism

Mindfulness

Shamanism

Magic

Hell Isn’t All Bad

September 22, 2025 / Lauri Ann Lumby / Leave a comment

Letters from Hell #4

Living in hell isn’t all bad. Hell definitely has its perks:

Living in hell allows us to clearly see the world humanity has created for itself – one that springs forth out of fear and which seeks after power and control in the hopes of mitigating that fear.
Living in hell shows us daily the consequences of this quest for power – greed, gluttony, and the violence that humanity wields in their never-ending quest for MORE.
Hell has been increasingly peeling back the layers of humanity’s corruption and all the lies that have been cultivated to justify injustice.
Hell allows us to see who people truly are, including the lies they continue to tell themselves so they might benefit from the system hell created.
Hell also shows us who we are not.
Every second of every day, hell shows us the system that allows for its survival, along with how to escape that system – if only we would pay attention.

The doorway into hell is the same path by which we can escape. Humanity, as a collective, is not doomed to an eternity in hell. As individuals, we are not condemned to waiting for everyone else to wake up before we can make our own escape. The steps necessary for our escape are simple:

We willing to see the hell-system for what it is – a system that is based on and manipulates us through fear.
Harness the skills of observation required to identify all the seemingly infinite ways in which the system is attempting to manipulate you through fear (or shame).
When you notice the system attempting to trigger your fear/shame – SAY NO!
Instead of giving into the fear, STOP and turn your gaze inward – what is the fear that is being triggered? Where did you first experience this fear/shame?
Engage in the mindfulness/meditation practices that you have for releasing/healing/transforming that fear.
Wash, rinse, repeat.

As the journey into hell was created by a thousand steps, so too is the journey out. Escaping hell is all about identifying every wound, trauma, fear, and past conditioning that ties us to the system, and then unraveling ourselves from them. The journey out of hell is about healing through heightened awareness, and radical personal accountability. The more we see the ways in which the system controls us, the more power we have for making our escape.

Whereas the cacophony of the system wants us to believe otherwise, hell is not what the majority of humanity wants. At our core, most of us yearn for peace. We long for connection. We ache for compassion and kindness. And we’re driven toward justice. To escape hell, we cannot allow the system to convince us otherwise – for humanity is made of Love and it will ultimately be to Love that we will return.

For Support Along the Journey:

Rising Above the Chaos

August 23, 2025 / Lauri Ann Lumby / Leave a comment

As the world as we know it continues in its collapse, there are bound to be times of unbridled chaos:

Chaos created by those who stand to lose power.
Chaos manifesting as distractions, impulsive actions, and irrational and rash decisions.
Chaos instigated as an attempt to control a narrative.
Chaos created in the hopes of causing confusion.
Chaos as the reaction to above-mentioned chaos by those unable or unwilling to acknowledge their own anxiety and sense of unease in the face of said-chaos.
Chaos in the irrational anger, frustration, and impatience that arises in the face of unacknowledged and unmanaged fear.

Human-created chaos and human-reactions to chaos, most simply, are symptoms of the death throes of a world imploding. When the life we have known approaches its end, humans’ initial tendency is to cling to what has been, and that clinging most often manifests in rash attempts to manipulate and control their own dying.

Death, however, cannot be controlled. When a way of being has lived out its usefulness, it comes to a natural end. Nothing can stop it. Neither should one try.

In the face of a dying, however, humans are rarely rational. This is especially true in those who do not know how to acknowledge or manage the natural fears that arise in the face of endings. This unacknowledged and unmanaged anxiety comes out sideways in angry, rash, impulsive, and often irrational actions. These actions can be enormously obvious such as deploying military troops “to help eliminate crime” in areas where crime has already been effectively managed, or as subtle as rudeness or road rage.

No one is immune to the natural fear of endings. We have two choices in the face of these fears: allowing the collective chaos to sweep us away in a storm of our own anxiety and worry, thereby triggering our own responses to fear; or acknowledging the anxiety that we are feeling and employing the tools and resources we have for mitigating and managing fear.

Tools for managing the fears we naturally experience in the face of a dying world (as we know it) include: medication, meditation, movement, music, mindfulness and mindful actions and activities. Mindful activities can include anything from cooking to gardening, hiking, exercise, making love, and more. Really, anything that allows us to rise above, or move beneath the chaos of a world in its death throes works. It doesn’t matter what form our practice takes. What matters is it allows us to be present with our anxiety and move through it so we are no longer a prisoner of our own anxiety, or vulnerable to the fear-driven actions of others; but instead, we are peaceful, content, and safe as the world around us goes up in flames.

How are you rising above or moving below the chaos to find your own place of comfort and safety?