Our Better Angels

What does engaging with our better angels mean? It’s a reference to calling up the best version of ourself, or the saintly side of the human spirit. 

Ezra Taft Benson said, “Some of the greatest battles, will be fought within the silent chambers of your own soul.”

This episode calls us to do something with the virtuous instincts embedded in the core of our nature. To remember our bonds of affection with one another and humanity. 

In introducing a powerful Native American parable, “The Two Wolves Within,” we journey into the shadow sides of human behavior. 

There's a silent battle calling us. To engage in the balance and care of both the Light and the Dark side of our nature, as we explore the purpose of both. 

To Support the production of Heart Sense please use the following Link. https://www.buzzsprout.com/1888298/support

Music Provided by: Patrick Ki
CD - Quiet Nights
Songs: Life Story
How Deep Is Your Love
patrickki.com

Sponsors:
Sedona's New Day Spa
3004 W State Rte 89A, Sedona, AZ
sedonanewday.com
928.282.7502

Skinplicity of Sedona
Managing the Aging Process
2155 W. Hwy 89A Suite #110 Sedona, Az.
928-514-6120
www.skinplicityofsedona.com

The Copper Heart Art for Heart Sense
Artist Catherine Stefanavage
Website:  iamcatherine.com
Email: iamcatherine16@gmail.com

Transcript

Hello, I’m your host, Riverann. And this is Heart Sense. A podcast for aligning, strengthening, and opening our hearts to a frequency of love that heals ourselves and our planet. Thank you for being here!

The music you’re listening to is Patrick Ki from his CD Quiet Nights. You can find Patrick’s music in the show notes and online at: patrickki.com — “Ki” is spelled ki

You might be wondering about the title of this episode. What are better angels?  Well, they’re not actually angels, the phrase represents a person’s better nature or higher self.

The phrase was originally used in 1599 by Shakespeare, in his Sonnet 144 — The Passionate Pilgrim. It was a reference to the saintly side of the human spirit.

Abraham Lincoln coined the term in his first Inaugural Speech. When he called upon the citizens of the United States to remember that “We must not be enemies, but friends.”

Our better angels are the bonds of affection between us that elicit qualities of empathy, compassion, reason, self-control, & cooperation in the midst of great passion or division. The aspects of our human nature you might consider, virtuous instincts. They reflect a moral compass that steers us to engage in the positive attributes of human character. 

We are each endowed with this innate nature. It serves to keep our heart frequencies high and promote good, constructive acts and feelings. It protects us from the poverty of limited thinking, judgment, and distrust. 

As opposed to the negative frequencies of tension, fear, and hatred that fan the flames of violent reactions. Without a connection to this uplifting frequency of energy, humanity falls into darkness.

Since the beginning of the human experiment on this planet, there has always been a struggle between good and evil. Ezra Taft Benson once said, “Some of the greatest battles will be fought within the silent chambers of your own soul.” 

This conflict we encounter within ourselves is powerfully depicted in this Native American parable, The Two Wolves Within. 

A young boy approached his Cherokee grandfather, consumed by anger towards another boy who had wronged him.

Upon listening to the boy’s story. His grandfather reveals that he, too, has experienced hatred towards those who take too much, and show no remorse for those they harm. 

He said, hate drains your energy and doesn't harm your enemy. It’s similar to hurting yourself and hoping it will harm the person you’re angry with. I have struggled with these feelings many times; he confessed.

It feels as if two wolves are living within me. The light wolf is benevolent and non-threatening. She maintains harmony with everything and doesn't get offended when no offense is intended. She will only fight when it is right to do so and in the right way. 

The dark wolf is full of anger. Little things send it into a fit of rage. He feels helpless because his rage changes nothing. His anger and hatred overpower him, making it difficult for him to think rationally.

Sometimes it’s hard to live with these two wolves inside of me, he said. Because both try to dominate my spirit.

The boy looked intently into his elder’s eyes and asked, “Grandfather, Which wolf will win?” 

The old Cherokee smiled and said, “The one you feed.”

This is a beautiful, revealing story. However, it’s challenging to remain in a state of light amidst the darkness of an impending battle.

We are at a turning point in our world. A time of huge possibility and great transformation. Or this could be a time when we lose ourselves. Engaging in an internal war that can only be won with love. 

By acknowledging the darkness in our world, we can illuminate what needs to be healed. 

So let’s take a closer look at what these two opposing forces represent within us. One holds joy, peace, love, and hope. It offers serenity, kindness, and friendship. Embodying this spirit, we feel empathy, humility, generosity, and faith. 

The other holds our fear, anger, greed, envy, and resentment. It may become arrogant, full of self-pity, guilt, or even regret and sorrow.

The challenge lies in responding to loss, inequality, violence, and negative consequences when interacting with individuals in a different mindset. 

The elder’s advice is powerful. The wolf that exhibits both compassion and strength can see what’s in the best interest of everyone. However, the shadow wolf also has valuable qualities. His attributes of tenacity, fearlessness, willpower, and strategic thinking are essential for us. 

In another version of this Native American story, the old Cherokee answers, "Both win when fed the right way." 

Have you ever considered that antagonism could be a way to find hope amidst despair? Failure to understand its purpose leads to a prolonged battle. As the desire for attention gets stronger, it becomes increasingly challenging to rein it in and often appears irrational.

Some people take paths to learn who they aren’t — in an effort to discover who they are. When we appreciate the value of every one of us. We learn the importance of the antagonist.

By disregarding any part of ourselves, we miss the underlying challenges that cause undesirable behavior. If we refuse to deal with suppressed emotions — good or bad. The shadow aspect of our personality will grow unruly. Restricting our capacity to transform and heal the wounded self. 

The same applies to our connections with others. Opportunities to construct bridges over a turbulent divide slip away from us. Neglecting to love them during their turmoil hinders our own growth. 

When there’s no conflict within us, we can listen to the voice of deeper knowing. A voice of divine guidance that assists us in choosing a path that connects us to a higher purpose. 

By recognizing and fostering the strengths within both our light and dark sides; we align with something positive and essential in life.

This human experiment is all about interaction and connection. Relying on each other is the only way we can fulfill our destiny. Being enemies is not an option. 

The way we interact with opposing forces shapes both our life path and the direction of our world. We are woven together in the fabric of this world. We are meant to be friends and allies.

In 1979, while I was in NYC, Pope John Paul II visited for three days. I’m a native Texan, and this was my inaugural trip to the Big City. 

I don’t know why, but I had expected a city of gold, like something Dorthy was looking for in The Wizard of Oz. It was the complete opposite of what I had expected. I witnessed poverty and wealth coexist in the same neighborhood. It was a shocking and eye-opening experience that left me questioning human values. Now I was only 20-something. But this was quite impactful.

During that time, I saw New Yorkers as unwelcoming, rude, and impatient with tourists. The contrast to my Southern upbringing was stark. They seemed to expect me to know how to navigate their city. And I sensed their mistrust when I thanked them more than once. 

However, I observed a quantum shift in the behavior of this city's residents when Pope John Paul II arrived, embracing this city with love. 

I remember seeing people standing in line at the bank, turning around, and talking with one another. This behavior was something I hadn’t yet witnessed in NYC — only in the south. 

There was no sense of urgency like before. They were calm, as though someone had given them a relaxing drug. But the energy shifted completely the moment the Pope left. I also watched the same phenomenon about 10 years after 911. NYC was a different place! 

I learned from that experience that whether bathed in light or shrouded in darkness, the shadow side of something exposes previously unseen elements. So it’s important to acknowledge the duality. Because doing so shows us our human potential.

Until we are brave enough to look at the energetic frequency, we emit in the world. Acknowledging that we all have unique paths to enlightenment. We may wander lost like the Israelites waiting to find their promised land.

There are no mistakes, my friends. The path to healing starts by rejecting societal patterns and seeking guidance from within. 

It’s actually what we came for. To test, rescind, and reconstruct a new reality that harnesses our divine potential. Potential that could create the most beautiful story ever told.

If you’re a spiritual wanderer like me, you yearn to awaken to a greater sense of purpose and freedom. To connect with something you recognize as the Source of everything. 

In observing the state of our world today, and the course of humanity. I have realized I can only influence others as a loving model or witness by healing me. Each person here is striving to discover their authentic selves. 

Ignoring their struggle to find peace through conflict. May delay the great awakening we are all praying for. Our real challenge is to acquire the vision to see beyond the moment, and yet live through it.

In this human experience, the light needs the dark. If we care for both the right way. They will serve us well in learning what we don’t want and creating what we do! 

In challenging times, let's rely on our better angels. Model what you want. By showing grace, we create a new normal in how people treat one another. And in joyful hope, we align for a better tomorrow.

If you've enjoyed or been inspired by this episode, please do two things for me. Share this podcast with those you love and check out the generous sponsors supporting Heart Sense… I’ve hand-picked each of them for their professional services, products, integrity, and conscious alignment to joy, healing, and well-being. And please let them know you heard about them on Heart Sense! 

Today’s Sponsor funding was provided by Sedona New Day Spa and Skinplicity of Sedona.

Voted The Best Day Spa for the past 15 years… Sedona New Day provides an oasis of fabulous body treatments in a beautiful, intimate, and serene setting with gardens and a hot tub. They offer a unique menu of Desert Nature Body Treatments and specialized massages from Swedish, deep tissue, aromatherapy, reiki, shiatsu, prenatal, and reflexology. They also have facials, manicures, and pedicures. This is a full-service spa and a beautiful place to visit while in Sedona! For appointments, call 928.282.7502 or go to their website sedonanewdayspa.com 

Maintaining our skin’s beauty can be relatively painless with new RF light technologies and laser treatments. Skinplicity offers non-invasive, effective alternatives for rejuvenating the body without invasive surgery. It’s also less expensive!

Choose from a selection of facial treatments, skin tightening, hair removal, cellulite reduction, vaginal rejuvenation and more. These modalities empower our bodies to manage the aging process by stimulating the production of collagen and enhancing circulation. I’ve experienced some of these treatments and they’re absolutely fabulous. For more information, visit: skinplicityofsedona.com or call 928-514-6120. 

As always, I appreciate your time and support. If you’d like to become a sponsor, partner, donate to the production of Heart Sense, or share your feedback or story with me, I’d love to hear from you! Email me at: ourheartsense2@gmail.com

I hope that these episodes bring more light to your heart, more vision to your life, and facilitate more healing in the world.                                                 

This is Riverann. Thanks for listening…