Circle of Christhood

"Love"

This is the first lesson I have given especially for children and so I would like to explain the reason the world Aloha is used so often.

Aloha is an Hawaiian word, used both in greeting and farewell, but it carries a much deeper meaning than our ordinary "Hello", "How are you?"  or "Goodbye." When using  Aloha as a greeting, we are really saying, "Love greets you" or "I trust that Love is with you."  In the same way, Aloha at parting or farewell means "God speed you" or "God goes with you."

Love is the most important and universal word in all the world, regardless of language.  You have read in the Bible that the beloved disciple, John, said:  "God is love." Whenever you think of love in that respect you must remember that Love, God, is finding an outlet through you; and that every time love comes to you, it is the very gift of God.  And so for our first lesson in the Message of The Infinite Way, I would like to impress upon you a message of Love, and it will never be difficult to understand the meaning of Love if you will memorize the lovely Hawaiian word "Aloha," and remember that it means "Love to you...Greetings of Love---Love goes with you."

Our lives run very much like a piece of machinery which, of course, requires frequent oiling.  The oil in our lives is love, and it is by bringing the love of God into our lives with as ordinary a thing as a little word of greeting that life is made smoother for ourselves and for others.  As you become accustomed to that idea, whenever saying "Hello", "Good Morning," or "Good Evening," actually you will be saying, "I greet you with love," which really means "God greets you with love."  If you remember the word, Aloha, every time you say Goodbye or Goodnight, you will be saying, in effect, "Love goes with you."

God fills all space. God is really our true Father and Mother.  God is All-in-All in our experience, but somehow, God does not come into our lives often enough.This is because we, ourselves, do not admit God into our lives. It is true that God fills all space, but you must let God into your life by bringing Him into all your relationships - with parents, teachers, friends, and everyone with whom you have even the least contact. The Spirit of Love is with you always, as long as you are opening your minds, your hearts, and your mouths to express and to receive love and kindness and thoughtfulness.

Of course, not everyone is interested in God in quite the same way that we are.  Some people think of God simply as something connected with Church or Sunday School, and it really never has occurred to them to bring God into their lives as a constant Friend and Companion. therefore, it is not necessary to go around talking about God in their presence, but that does not hinder our using the word love in our inner thoughts, nor does it prevent our utilizing every opportunity to express Love in many simple and unobtrusive ways every day.

When leaving home for school or play, it is a loving thought to call out, "Aloha, Mother and Dad," thereby reminding them (and yourself) that Love goes with you, and is present with them also.  That is why Aloha is such a charming word to use - especially in your silent thoughts - because every time you think "Aloha," you are thinking of Love -Love is God. Because of our daily habits, much of the time you greet your schoolmates and teachers merely with the usual "Hello" or "Good Morning,"  but at the same time you can see how easy it is to think within yourselves, silently and secretly of course - "Aloha - Love!" Your greeting really doesn't carry much meaning unless inwardly you also think, "Good Morning, God shines upon you," or "Goodbye, Love goes with you and greets you wherever you go." There are many times throughout the day when Love, and all the word conveys, can be used in your inner thoughts, as well as in your outer associations.

The Master taught that whatever we say or think or do in secret will be shouted from the housetops. In other words, whatever you think inwardly, that is what people will receive from you and know about you openly.  Perhaps you have never before thought of this great Truth of Life.  Perhaps you think it is possible to have secrets from the world; that is it is possible to cheat another, to be cruel to an animal or bird, or to be rude and unkind and no one will know about it.  Divine Law teaches that whatever you think in that little secret place within your heart is shouted to the world. You can prove this in your own experience by noticing that when you have thought of love or sharing or giving, everyone is aware of that love; but the moment you are rude, cruel, disobedient or disrespectful, there is created an atmosphere in which you do not shine too brightly.  Actually, a miracle takes place in your life once you let the word Love come into your thought, because every time you think of Love you are thinking of God, even if you never mention His Name, because God is Love!

Love is the relationship between you and your parents, friends and teachers, and that love unites us all as one happy joyous family.  God is the cement that holds us together.  God is the tie that binds, and God is Love. So you are really experiencing and expressing God when you are experiencing and expressing Love.  When you understand that Love is the bond that unites us, you are understanding that God is the bond that unites us. Love is God, and so you can see that God is the real relationship between you and all the members of your household and circle of acquaintances.

All the good that comes into your experience really comes from God.  Naturally, your parents, sisters and brothers, teachers and friends, all do many wonderful, kind and helpful things for you-indeed they do! But it is God's Love they are expressing - all this good really comes through the Spirit of God wihin them!  It is well that you realize this truth: all good comes through Love, therefore it is of God! Then you will understand that you are fed, clothed, protected and taught through Love.  Is it not because of your parents' love that you are provided and cared for?  Is it not because of love for your parents that you are obedient, kind and considerate?

Whenever you say, "Thank You," remember you really are saying, "Thank you Father, for Love."  For, whatever has been given is some expression of God - you have been given something of God.  Whenever someone expresses gratitude or thanks to you, it is for some bit of God that you have given them.  Whenever you receive a birthday or Christmas gift, or even some little gesture of kindness or thoughtfulness, always remember that you are being given Love, and so you are being given God.  Everyone who gives is giving something of God. Every time you give to another, you are giving something of God.  Whenever you do something to please and help your parents or teachers, it is really Love that prompts you and, in return, it is Love that makes them appreciate and be proud of you.

Is it not a beautiful thought to remember?  Is it not wonderful to know that all the good, all the gifts, all the care, and all the love that is bestowed by parents, family, teachers and friends, is a sharing of God with you?  And is it not also wonderful to know that whenever you bring something of good into your home, whenever your conduct and progress in school is good, you are bringing a gift of God into your own life and into the lives of others?

In closing this lesson, I leave with you the reminder that God is Love and Love is God, by saying that wonderful word that conveys my love to you and your love to me, Aloha.

Aloha

Aloha means "Farewell"

Aloha means "Goodbye"

Aloha means "Until we meet again under a sunlit sky."

Aloha means "I do not want to leave you,"

Aloha means "Forever I'll be true,"

But the best thing that Aloha means

Is "Peace to you."

(From the Masonic magazine, "Brotherhood.")