Someone asked me today, “Where is the kingdom of heaven and if there is such a thing, why am I living in hell?”

Yes, there is a kingdom of heaven and where is that kingdom? The realm of heaven resides within you as it is your spirit that has descended to earth from the embodiment of tranquility and immortal light. It is consciousness that provides for such a query when consciousness becomes overwhelmed with earthly realities. When you view your existence as one of plight rather than of simplicity, infectious doubt can become insurmountable. And, when you view your journey as an endless struggle, skepticism consumes your knowledge of absolute certainty.

Is there a hell? Absolutely not, so therefore, the question, why am I living in hell is flawed. It is not flawed in the sense of religious belief. However, it is an extremely inconsistent question in terms of the role of living. Life is not a ‘living hell,’ it is a vast learning ground. We are mortally here for our spiritual growth, not to consistently dwell upon our material existence. Nor are we here to continuously regurgitate the ills of our past. Be they our ills, our blessings, as without them we would be unable to gift encouragement and understanding to our brethren.

The next time you ask, where is the kingdom of heaven and if there is such a thing, why am I living in hell, remember that heaven is not the shadow of the hell you invent, but rather, is indicative of the hell you denounce.