Happy Resurrection Day!

Today, Easter, Christians around the globe celebrate what they believe to be the definitive event in world history; the resurrection of Jesus the Christ (anointed One). Many scoff at this notion yet it is certainly what sets Christianity apart from other religions, organized or not.

The idea that the God of the universe determined that His own Son should take upon himself the sins of the world and serve as the sacrificial lamb is astonishing. The fact that Jesus would do this voluntarily with full knowledge of what it entailed is mind boggling. I think that Mr. Gibson did a wonderful job of communicating this aspect during the Garden of Gethsemane scenes in his film "The Passion of The Christ". (Viewing this DVD has become my new Easter tradition). The final images of the empty burial linens (what many believe to be the Shroud of Turin) and the hole in Jesus' hand emphasize the renewing aspect of Christianity.

This key tenet of Christianity, the renewing of one's spirit, can be found in most philosophies and is at the core of personal development. It's a truth that we tend to accept without question as there is ample evidence in everything we see in nature. Spring is an abundant example of this renewal yet everyone knows that a scraped knuckle on one's hand will heal, that is renew, regardless of the season.

The Bible says that the Holy Spirit provides the energizing force for renewal, growth and life itself. Self-help gurus provide instruction on tapping into the "universal energy", or what Asian practitioners refer to chi, and the Holy Spirit is, I believe, what they are referring to. It's not my place to insist that everyone acknowledge this universal energy as the Holy Spirit. What is important is that one recognize its existence and acknowledge that there is a power outside of themselves that can be tapped into.

The three main aspects of human life, intellectual/material/spiritual (or mind/body/spirit), are at the core of personal development. (These three aspects are also embodied in the Christian Trinity). Each of the three components must be utilized to develop each of the three components.

Intellectual pursuits in and of themselves do not enhance our spirit or material state. What is learned intellectually must be applied and acted upon (material) to see results. These results produce belief (spiritual) which should further stimulate the mind, etc.

Reading or listening to personal development information can stimulate one to exercise or follow a healthy diet. Exercise and/or a healthy diet can stimulate one to experience an increase in chi. An increase in chi can stimulate one to seek additional intellectual stimulation. Ad infinitum.

The key is balance.