• In the school of life, pain is the teacher and a stimulant for the growth of spiritual qualities. Daily we experience turbulence from life on the physical plane. We have little or no control over the evolution and spin of the show. We love the positive side of the story, but the intrusion of harsh reality throws us into high mental and emotional reactivity. The harmony we seek disappears and we no longer enjoy the show. We cannot change the ups and downs of life, but we can change our response to it. We can learn new ways to manage pain by viewing life as school.


  • The purpose of the school of life is to learn who we really are: soul connected to Spirit. This involves accepting pain as a stimulant for the growth of spiritual qualities. Then we discover our higher self or soul as peace, love, joy, and other wonderful spiritual qualities.


  • Every experience, event, and person is a teacher in the school of life. Lessons have to do with expansion of peace, love, joy, courage, strength, power, and wisdom. There are homework assignments and tests designed to bring out our painful physical, mental, and spiritual problems.


  • The blocks to our spiritual growth must be exposed before they can be eliminated. Pain tells us where to work. It is intelligent. It bears messages. By enduring and working with our pain, we learn our lessons, expand our love and other spiritual qualities, and move forward.


  • Many do well in the school of life when times are good, but poorly when tragedies or crises occur. A strong spiritual program must include all of life’s events, including the most painful. When pain is accepted as the teacher, no barrier can stop us; even those that are apparently or obviously evil can be used to propel us forward to courage, strength, and wisdom.


  • The school of life never closes. There is always room for improvement when developing spiritual qualities. It is wise to do the homework daily.