Linda Pendleton

Following the horrifying events of September 11, 2001, I turned to my own books for a review of guidance from the wise and loving spirit, Dr. Peebles.I wanted to share with those of you who have not read my book, To Dance With Angels by Don and Linda Pendleton, and the follow-up book, recently published, Three Principles of Angelic Wisdom by Linda Pendleton, the following excerpts which may be of value to you at this troubling time. I also channeled a message from Dr. Peebles on Sunday, September 23, 2001.

Dr. James Martin Peebles' spiritual psychology is based on three important principles to be used in tandem:

1. Loving Allowance for all things to be in their own time and place, beginning with yourself.

2. Increased Communication with all of life everywhere and with respect.

3. Self Responsibility, for you are the eternal creator, never the victim.

Dr. Peebles also tells us that two of our greatest fears manifest within our illusion of separation and within intimacy. At a time when we feel so vulnerable as individuals and as a country, we have to strive to not allow fear to overcome us, for in giving into fear, it gives the terrorists exactly what they hope to achieve. We have to look within, to our families, to our country, to our world, and to our God, to strengthen ourselves. As Dr. Peebles would tell us this is an excellent "opportunity for growth." I believe it will be our love and prayers, our acceptance of diversity, and sense of world community, along with a strong commitment to overcome the evil of these terrorists, that will give us strength in the days ahead.

A message from Dr. Peebles channeled by Linda Pendleton

"Linda: Dr. Peebles, as you know, New York City and Washington, D.C., have suffered a horrific terrorist attack and the world has been shocked by the event. We are in grief, and there is a lot of apprehension and anxiety. What you can you tell us about handling this?"

"Dr. Peebles: God bless you, each and every one. It is a time of serious introspection for many. The terrible event of September 11^th, was indeed a shock, a wake-up call, a call for necessary change that is now enveloping the planet. The energy of the planet Earth had been moving in this direction for some time. Terrorist attacks were inevitable. The forces of fear have been growing within the minds of some in your world. Some believe fear to immobilize but often it brings irresponsible action. In this case, these terrorists have within their hearts a great fear and illusion of separation. As a deep fear has manifested within their minds, they have been moved to wipe out what they consider to be a threat to them. So you see, even though you feel victimized by these terrorists, it is really the terrorists who are victims of their own illusions of separation.

"If the terrorist had been true in heart, true to their religious standards, they would not have performed this attack and the others that have come before this. These attacks came about out of fear, a paradox you see, for they believe their actions will cause fear in the minds of others. Terrorists do not want to recognize or admit their own fears: their illusion of separation and fear of intimacy. They have chosen to increase their communication, without respect, without care for life, and in the hopes they can control and manipulate others through fear that also lasts beyond the actual event. The terrorist attitude is 'let's strike out and blow up airplanes and buildings, and kill as many as we can, and let's do it before they get wise and know that we are living in fear. We do not want others to know that, for if they know we are in fear then we are vulnerable'. You see?

"I say to you, my dear friends, honor your grief, honor those who fought so gallantly to save lives. Many of those people set aside their own illusions of separation and fears and reached out to their brothers and sisters with love. I also say to you to allow your fear, if only for a moment. Acknowledge the fear that the terrorists have created in you, move through it, and then let it go, and know that there is nothing to fear. As you move within your own mind, and move to understand that separation is the factor that motivates fear, then you can recognize that you are never alone, and are never the victim, unless you choose to be a victim.

"But you say, 'Dr. Peebles, this makes me feel like a victim. We have been savagely attacked.' Yes, you have been attacked and it was as you say, my dear, indeed, a horrific attack. So what is the choice now?—Be a victim and give the terrorists the victory they desire?—Or, choose another point of view: 'I will not be a victim living in fear.' It is your dance, my dear friends—the choice is yours.

"In the days since the terrorist attack have you not seen a merging of positive energy that is giving strength and determination to many to overcome the devastation and loss of life that has been thrust upon you? Have you not seen expressions of grief and support coming to your United States from many other countries? Do you realize the energy of prayer that is sweeping through the universe? It is magnificent! This is an example of increased communication with respect. It is also a break-through in the illusion of separation that those of you on school-earth struggle with. This event has also allowed for loving allowance to some degree.

"It has been a recognition of the diversity that you have in your neighborhoods, your communities, your country, and your world. The attack has allowed for an inspection of diversity, and will continue to do so.

"It will also allow for personal introspection of fear, illusions of separation, and the fear of intimacy. How much more intimacy can be than reaching out a hand to another who is in a panic while a building is falling?—or huddled in a plane as it flies toward a target that will being death to many? These are examples of intimacy that will be a lesson for all who observe it, even after the fact.

"There will be movements toward more attacks, they will come, they will go, but your government and other governments of the world will do what they believe necessary to stop the terrorists. They have your permission to do so, even if it has not actually been voiced in the past. The energy of that permission is strong. The terrorists will have to face their own fears and their illusion of separation will grow even stronger and wider as they refuse to examine it.

"It is a time of healing, a time of examination of the feelings of fear and anxiety, and the illusions of separation within the self. It will be a time of growth, growth that will be good for mankind.

"This, too, will pass, just as other horrific events in the history of your planet have. There will be no annihilation of your planet, just a bump in the road, and my dear friends, an excellent opportunity for growth.

"So lighten up—do not let fear take over your daily life. There will be some ups and downs, and some changes that may put a little crimp in what you consider your normal life to be, but out of this will come a richer, fuller world community, and one day you will look back on these events as events that resulted in positive world change.

"As you go your ways in love and harmony, know that the angels are with you in your search for peace. Fear not, for fear does nothing to enrich the soul. Reach out to others in love and prayer. We are with you. God bless you each and every one."

"Linda: Thank you, Dr. Peebles, and God bless you."

Copyright© 2001 by Linda Pendleton

A conversation with Dr. Peebles about the state of our planet channeled through trance medium, Thomas Jacobson, June 24, 1986. It was time of threats and unrest created by the cold war, but Dr. Peebles' outlook at that time is so apropos to our current situation.

"God bless you: Dr. Peebles here. It is a joy and blessing when man and spirit join together in search of the greater truths and awareness. Might I offer encouragement, my dear friends, as you strive to understand the state of Earth. For the state of Earth is one of conflict, it is one of struggle, it is one of confusion; it is, to many points of view, one of isolation and cold.

"You are here, my friends, as individual souls—here as students, each and every one—striving to understand the nature of love, the nature of your own divine self, through a study of relationships, yourself and life everywhere—life everywhere students as well, each and every one.

"You are here to identify what are temporary illusions of separation—illusions of separation shared by all humanity and by some other life forms as well. To identify these is high fulfillment, and yet not complete; for, as well, you must diminish and dissolve these very same illusions of separation. This is your labor of love. It is a journey to the heart that will set you free.

"The state of Earth is a magnification of each individual. The state of Earth is an amplification of your own self. The state of Earth, this day, focuses on the fear and the threat of total destruction and annihilation of all life through nuclear warfare and the helplessness that is suggested by terrorism.

"As you view the news and you listen to the commentaries of your political systems and your communication networks, you are faced with a new scenario each and every day. Your own personal challenge is to find resolution, to understand; for as you view and as you listen to scenarios of the entire planet, it is the same as if it were within your own home.

"And so there are those who refuse to listen to the news—it is too threatening and fearful. There are those who seek to understand the news, for there is a challenge to grow and to expand. The state of Earth is now focusing on the threat of nuclear warfare, the threat of terrorism. What is the nature of these two events?

"Well, the threat of total annihilation first must be understood as an energy that has been around the planet Earth through all history. It is not a new energy. It is not a new threat. It is not worse now than ever before. Through all history, written and otherwise, there has been a constant threat of annihilation of the local village, of the local state; a total annihilation of family and loved ones has been a constant threat through all decades of history and all environments.

"Even when there were many years of peace and prosperity in some ancient cultures, there still was the talk, there still was the fear, there still was the promulgation of models of defense, so as to maintain that safety. Well, the very creative suggestion of defense thereby invites the experience in your heart of fear, of destruction.

"As you live each and every day, then—as in each and every era of mankind—there is the threat of being overcome, the threat of oblivion, the threat of annihilation, the threat of helplessness; of not being able to control your own destiny. To understand, then, the global conflicts it is most important that you personalize your perception—that you become intimate with the experience—and you then strive to understand the global conflicts through personal application in your day-to-day life.

"As you try to understand the impact, the potential, of nuclear warfare and the threat of retaliation, think of your own life: Is it not true that you have sought to retaliate to people individually? Is it not true that in your life you have sought weapons?—you have sought means through your own psychology, your own mentality, your own systems of communication, to wreak revenge?—more often than not fantasizing that joy that you had in your heart for a moment when you would exact complete revenge on those who have wronged you? And when you wanted that revenge, did you not want complete victory? Did you not want to totally annihilate the point of view of another? Did you not want to have total safety and protection of yourself?

"Well, your governments—your governments that represent you nationally—are a reflection of what all of you have asked for and sought. That is a desire for safety. This is shared by all humanity, regardless of nationality, because all human beings have, remember, temporary illusions of separation.

"What does that mean, temporary illusions of separation? What is the impact of that reality? Well, with separation there is a fear—there is an automatic belief that there are those things that are different from you—otherwise you wouldn't be separate from them, would you?

"And if they are different from you, are they compatible?—must you not think about them?—must you not ponder them before you can be intimate?—and in the meantime, until you make that decision to be intimate, must you not protect yourself from possible threat in case they are not comfortable to your energy?

"Well, that starts with the illusions of separation, which is an illusion, but it is a lived reality. It is carried out as a reality in each and every day, and I don't mean Chinese on the other side of the world. I mean you: listening to these words.

"The illusion of separation, then, is a personal experience—whether it be in Iran, Russia, Washington, D.C. and the White House, or in the country land of Minnesota. It is a shared phenomenon upon which all governments are built. All governments are built upon religion. All religions are built upon not only the hopes but especially the fears of mankind; which predominately there is that of survival: to survive, to continue.

"This is a natural phenomenon for planet Earth, but it is not a natural phenomenon for the universe, for there is a state of consciousness that goes beyond the instinct for survival. And that greater drive is for intimacy, is for love, is for union. But, you see, the paradox is that when you have that union, have you not brought yourself to a threshold where you might lose control for a moment?—for then you must be in union with another point of view and another being who could for a moment dominate you.

"So around and around the circle goes, the merry-go-round of growth. It is a magnification of your own personal fears. Nuclear warfare, simply put, is a threat of total destruction—not only to you, but to family and to that consciousness that you love in all life. That has always been present in history. And your feeling of helplessness is equal only to your fear of increased communication.

"As you seek to understand what to do regarding nuclear warfare, study yourself this week and in the months to come. Watch how it is that in the most subtle of ways, at times, you will seek revenge—you will see to have weaponry within yourself, to respond readily so that the other party cannot respond in ways that are not comfortable to you.

"This is what your government represents for you, and other governments as well. And so you see the decisions of your government of late and of the past have been proper, for they have done those things they have been elected for. The bombing of [Libya], for example, by Mr. Reagan, was to an extent a right action, for it is what the people elected him for: protection; indeed, retribution to wrongdoing around the world. And so it was, within that state of time and space, a proper action.

"Within your own individual consciousness, what are your alternatives when you are threatened? What are your alternatives when others want you to be helpless and in their power?

"How have you communicated in the past? Has it been withdrawn, and when? When have you withdrawn? When have you reacted with great diligence to overcome another point of view?

"As you further understand the nature of terrorism, it is obviously distinct from nuclear warfare. Nuclear warfare is obvious. It is or it isn't. Terrorism seeks to be subtle, seeks to be suggestive. Terrorism seeks to extend fear far beyond the event. Terrorism seeks to own the minds and the psychology. Terrorism seeks to manipulate and control, through fear more so than the actual event.

"Terrorism is around you all the time. Each of you in this room in your own way is a terrorist as well as a lover of God. For there is within you illusions of separation. Within all humanity, no matter how great the love in your heart, no matter how sincere your desires, there are moments of anger, of fury, of rage, of retribution, fear of being overcome by others, the desire to protect yourself, to have guns in the house, to eliminate any danger, to teach others lessons.

"How often, my friends, have you wanted to teach your friend a lesson—teach another person?—a lover? It's as if the closer you get to each other the more you want to teach each other. How many times have you wanted to teach your mate a lesson—so they'll never do it again.

"My friends, that's terrorism, where you did it through threat, implied threat, and direct threat: 'You will now do what I say or I'll never talk to you again.' That fear and that threat of never being talked to again is equally as violent as a bullet in your head. I say to you it is. For the greater reality of vibration is in your mind—and that does include the physical atmosphere—but as well it includes your mind.

"For those beings who are in a silence and dead in their hearts, it's exactly the same as death from the physical body; in fact, it is worse. For when you leave the physical body you are still alive and you can resurrect your emotions. But your emotional death goes beyond the body.

"And so it is that words and wars of words are violent. Now—to be sure, it is a point of debate—to be sure, it is an extraordinary concept. For the blood you can see from the skin; the tears can be hidden in a private room. The pain and the ugliness of life is through the illusions of separation.

"How will you then create peace on Earth? It is through peace within yourself. How often have you marched? How often have you written your senators? How often have you wanted in your mind to increase your communications for the greater peace on Earth? How often have you felt indignant at the increased terrorism and the nuclear warfare?

"And then someone in ragged clothes the next day walks by you and asks you for a quarter; and you are offended; and you leave them.

"You speak of love by healing the planet Earth; you speak of peace by eliminating weaponry; and then you ignore your brother next door. To understand the nature of terrorism, to understand the nature of nuclear war, do not look to Washington, D.C.; do not look to Moscow; look within your own heart.

"Understand your weaponry, understand your fears, so that you can empathize with Moscow and you can empathize with Washington, D.C., instead of the massive illusions of separation. For only with the empathy can there begin to be union.

"But then, there's a new problem. How do you define union? Union is not collective agreement. Union is allowance—indeed, fascination—with disagreement. Lack of allowance of disagreement, and the force to create agreement, is lack of union.

"These are your thoughts to help you create a new day. For you have the right for joy, you have the right for prosperity, you have the right for freedom.

"No one denies you freedom ever, no matter what part of the globe you are in, no matter what concentration camp you are in; you deny yourself that freedom only through your fear of increased communication….

"…And so, as you come forward into your day tomorrow, in your country of the United States, your world, look at the news and understand that your interaction with the news is valid and worthy of your attention. What are your solutions?

"And when you become confused—which you will—personalize it. Personalize it in your own life, to your next phone call, to your spouse, to your friend, to your enemy, and understand yourself.

"…The goal is not to avoid life, it is to avoid withdrawal; it is to avoid the fear of retribution, the desire to give retribution; to be present as never before. Life is an opportunity; it is here right now.

"Understand how you wish you had a nuclear bomb at times. Understand how you have wanted to terrorize in revenge, so that others would lose authority over you; and you will understand the planet Earth. All share the same illusions.

"This is not a prophecy of doom; it is a reality of responsibility. The life on Earth has been a challenge all along. The fear of annihilation has always been a fear; and now, are you going to live in that fear of tomorrow?—or will you live in presence today?"

From To Dance With Angels by Don and Linda Pendleton.

It is my observation that in many ways we have moved forward since Dr. Peebles spoke these words fifteen years ago in 1986. The best example of that is the fall of the Berlin Wall, the break-up of the communist Soviet Union, and our increased communication with China and other countries of the world. Changes have taken place, and those changes have never been more evident than right now, in September of 2001, as the world community has come together to fight the evils of terrorism we are now faced with. Dr. Peebles' three principles can give us direction as we face these challenges. One of the most serious of challenges may be loving allowance, respect for diversity, right here in our own country. The changes that have occurred over the last few years give hope that good and positive change can come from the events of September 11^th. It has brought us together as a country; people have given their lives to save others; stories of bravery and heroism have filled our aching hearts; and a feeling of world community permeates the air. If we cast our fears aside and focus on love and healing, we will be victorious.

Dr. James Martin Peebles (1822-1922) wrote these words many years ago: "If I know my own heart it beats in accord with the divine effort to better humanity, and throbs in tenderest love toward all races and people of all lands." A sentiment we should all share.

Excerpt of Three Principles of Angelic Wisdom, Copyright © 2001 by Linda Pendleton.

Dr. Peebles channeled by Linda Pendleton.

"Oh, it is sweet—it is life evermore

to breathe the beauty of love!

--James Martin Peebles, 1869

As a humanitarian, James Martin Peebles often wrote of the need for universal love to be at the center of all things. In his book, Seers of the Ages, first published in 1869, he penned, "Love is not merely a white lily undulating upon embosomed waters, not an æolean harp murmuring music in the window, not the cooing of the turtle doves, but an active principle, a divine soul-emotion, the central magnet of our conscious existence. Just in the ratio of the soul's unfoldment, love becomes subjective, philosophic, idealistic and universal. Platonic love, blending with the fraternal, and enzoned by the infinite, is exalting beyond all heights of mortal perception."

Now we will examine Dr. Peebles present view on intimacy, which he has often referred to in his spiritual psychology as our greatest fear.

Dr. Peebles: It is such a paradox that since ancient time, man's innate drive has been to achieve intimacy, yet, it is his greatest fear. Why does he fear it? Because in order to achieve true intimacy one has to surrender to another. Give up control, so to speak. Yeah...surrender control. And within the breast of man, that idea of surrender stirs up anxiety and fear. One may believe that the search for security is foremost in the conscious mind, but the soul desire and need for intimacy prevails. With true intimacy, there is no need to desire security, for it is there. Secure within one's heart and secure within one's soul. But most often, one will run, as fast as a bunny rabbit, from a threat of intimacy. Why does one consider it a threat? Again, the fear of surrender, of giving up control. Oh, if I give in to intimacy, good God!--I give up a part of me! In order to achieve intimacy, one has to abandon the fear that something will be taken from him or her, and they will no longer be safe. This all plays into the illusion of separation.

When you deny yourself intimacy, the end result is pain because the desire for intimacy is a powerful force within your soul. So it begins a cycle—move away from intimacy—it brings pain; desire intimacy and without it—pain.

So begins the great challenge. How does one let down their guard to be able to achieve what they so desperately desire—intimacy? Look at a newborn baby, who has entered the world wholly dependant on his mother, or someone such as her, to provide him with all his needs—albeit food, comfort, security and love. There, is the greatest desire for intimacy. What happens to that same baby if he is denied intimacy? Does it not leave a scar upon him? His young heart cries out for an intimate relationship with another human—someone to hold him securely, to offer him love and comfort. Does not the heart of a child, an adolescent, an adult, cry out for the same? Is not the desire for love and intimacy always within the heart? Look deep in the eyes of a dying patient who is alone, isolated, in his last days on earth. Do you not see the longing for intimacy, for love? Do you not see the fear present in his eyes? Can you not hear the silent cry for some connection with another? Does he not long to have someone gently touch his hand, someone to give him a smile, someone to recognize that he is still alive?

The drive for intimacy is at a deep soul-level. So, why does one fear it so much? Why do humans turn from it, whether it be an intimate relationship with their spouse or lover, with their child, with their neighbor, their community, or with the rest of the world—their fellow human beings. Fear! Fear!

In order to achieve intimacy, one has to release fear. One has to learn to appreciate the diversity, the differences, which are so much a part of life—whether it be a diversity of thought, likes or dislikes, or religious ideals, or social and cultural differences, etc. In allowing those differences in another, whether it takes place within your own family, or within your community, your country or the world, moves you one step closer to embracing true intimacy.

In order to achieve intimacy, it has to begin within yourself. And it begins with vulnerability. You have to allow yourself to be open to attack. Attack!--you say. Yes, attack.

That attack does not have to take place, so to speak, but you have to open yourself to the possibility. You see, when you are closed, invulnerable, it is because you feel that you are different, separate, from the other person. That is the illusion of separation. You are no different. Uh, your ideas may vary, may not be in tune, but you are a spiritual being, just like he is. Right? You see? And when you think you are different from another person, then fears arise. Oh, that person does not like me...Look how he stares at me...He looks like a monster...How would you feel if that person was thinking the same of you? If you knew those were his thoughts, would you not be on guard, feeling rejection, ready to attack him before he could attack you? But because you are connected and vibrationally a part of each other, he senses your discomfort. What if he is staring at you because he left his glasses at home and he cannot clearly make out your features from across the room and he thinks he may know you? But because of your illusion of separation and the fear that his actions have stirred up in you, you are on guard, feeling rejection, and ready to attack. See how silly? As he crosses the room and walks up to you, are you going to avoid him, or be ready to attack, or, are you going to welcome him with a smile? Of course, it is your choice. But what if you also left your glasses at home, and when he comes up to you, you see that it is your business associate? See how you allowed fear to rule. Instead, you could have accepted this person from the moment your eyes locked gazes and a fear of attack would not have been there. You would have been vulnerable—open to attack—but not fearing that an attack was about to happen.

Whether it be the intimacy of sexuality or the intimacy with someone who lives in another country—someone who you have never met, it is all the same. In order to achieve intimacy, one only has to open their heart to receive the echo of another. When two or more are gathered—intimacy can take place. But it only takes one to understand. If you open yourself to intimacy, then no matter what the response or the echo that comes back to you, intimacy has been achieved.

In the dropping away of illusion of separation, one is able to recognize again the face of God. It is the intimate relationship with God which allows one to understand that the God-connection is vital and powerful. The God-essence becomes again, a part of your heart/soul. As you recognize the God-essence within yourself, you will also recognize it in your fellow-man. It matters not, how different your life may be from his. For in that God-essence is the understanding that you are not different, not separate. Oneness returns to your conscious memory. You remember again who you are—a divine soul who is a particle of the Mind of God, and connected to every other human being, who, too, are divine souls.

Linda: Dr. Peebles, you mentioned that intimacy has to begin within. It really has to begin with that understanding that we are one with God, is that correct?

Dr. Peebles: Yes, yes it does. God is All. That includes you, me, and every other life form; the planets which make up the solar system; the stars that twinkle in the night sky, the expansive changing universe; the atoms; energy; the good, the bad and the ugly. Everything. God is complete, God is total. And all is contained within God.

So in understanding that concept, intimacy has no choice except to express itself. It is only when there is resistance to the idea that God is All and that each soul is contained within the divine source, that intimacy does not fully express.

But when intimacy is in effect, the God-essence showers every thought, every deed, and souls touch and merge. One moves again to God, and in that movement, expresses God in His completeness.

So the challenge, the greatest challenge for those in the earth-school, is to recognize that intimacy begins within and you are the one who has to reach out to another, to the many, to the all. Do not wait for someone to come to you. You move to them, with your mind, with your heart, with your soul. If they turn from you, you have not failed. Do you see?

But you say, why do I bother?—They turn away from me. It matters not. You have achieved intimacy. You understand that you come from love. It is their illusion, their fear, which keeps them from connecting in an intimate way with you. So I say to you, reach out, touch, and in doing so, you allow yourself to be touched.

Linda: Dr. Peebles, would you talk to us of forgiveness. That seems to be a difficult area for most of us.

Dr. Peebles: Yes. Forgiveness, too, is a part of intimacy. In order to forgive, it takes an act of intimacy. Forgiveness is misunderstood. It does not mean that if you have been wronged by the actions of another that in order to forgive that person, that you have to agree that what they did to you was okay and approved of. No, it does not mean that. Forgiveness is an inward act just as intimacy is. It is allowing that person to be who they are, and allowing their perceptions to belong to them. It is your perception that matters. And in allowing your perception to change from feelings of rejection or anger, etc. and replacing it with allowance, loving allowance, then forgiveness manifests. Remember, never are you the victim. You create your reaction. If you put expectations on another, or on the outcome of an event, then in all probability you will be disappointed. If you had not placed any expectations, then what a surprise at the outcome. You do not want demands, boundaries, or limits on yourself, so do not move to put them on another.

So when you think of forgiveness, think of yourself. Let all expectations, all demands, all limits, drop away. Forgive yourself for your feelings of victimhood, hurt, anger, and release the resentment, anger or other emotions you have bottled up or expressed toward another. When that occurs, you will come to understand forgiveness. It will bring you freedom of the heart--freedom from the control of another. And you will realize that the power of the actions of that person no longer is held over you. You regain your power. And the intimate act of forgiveness is yours, always.

Linda: When someone has been the victim of some horrible violent crime, or when someone is murdered, it must be very difficult for either the victim of that crime or the victim's families to come to any place close to forgiveness. How can that situation be made easier?

Dr. Peebles: By putting into effect the intimate act of forgiveness. Each of you will be judged when you leave the earth plane. But it is not God who judges. It is not the arch-angels. It is not your brother or sister. It is you, yourself. When you come over here, you come with all your consciousness, and you have to answer to yourself for all your actions, deeds, and you will study all the things you did while in the body. All the good, and all the bad. You will have to come to terms with that. On occasion you may be shown in detail the effect you had on others, both positive and negative. You will become your harshest judge as you review your life.

The understanding that each has to answer for their behavior can give comfort to those who are victims of horrific crimes. For many, they feel that justice may not be done on earth. It may not in the eyes of many, but the time will come when self-responsibility must come to be.

I know it is hard for many to see that the criminal lives in fear. Fear of intimacy. But he, too, cries out for love. He carries a heavy burden of the illusion of separation, the heaviest of anyone on Earth. He struggles in desperation to find some connection, and in his hunt, often, he moves further away from intimacy instead of drawing it closer to him. Some criminals find feelings of security and sanctuary behind the walls of a prison. When released from the safety of those walls, they panic and fear overcomes them again. It can be a never-ending cycle of the need for intimacy, and the great fear of intimacy. In their fear, power over others may be the only thing that gives them relief from fear, albeit only momentary. As I have said before, much can be done to bring healing within the prison walls. But it will take a special brand of healing to achieve progress in what is called, rehabilitation. The focus has to change. The heinous criminal cannot be allowed to roam the streets and take out his fears and anger on society. He must be confined. But if it is understood that his illusions of separation are great and that he carries with him deep fears of that separation and deep fears of intimacy, then, possibly, movement can be made to lessen those fears, and through therapy, bring him closer to the God-essence. Now back to forgiveness. To eliminate a life of pain that can result from feelings of victimhood, or powerlessness, if one can learn to let go, can add new thought, new perception, and understand that each and every person on earth all have illusions of separation and the need for intimacy, some much greater than others, then forgiveness can be easier. Forgiveness becomes an act of intimacy, nothing else. And intimacy takes only one to understand. Peace and healing will come when you take action to diminish the illusion of separation within the self. Only then."

From Three Principles of Angelic Wisdom by Linda Pendleton.

©Copyright 2001 by Linda Pendleton, all rights reserved.