I used to have a Pollyanna outlook on life. Everything was good, and you could find some good in everyone. While I still try to find the good in people, I am less likely to be fooled by the darkness. My adventure down the rabbit hole has changed me.
True evil tends to be insidious. It waits in the shadows and allows goodness to take overt control. Then, when your trust has been granted and your guard is down, evil takes over. Generally by the time most of us figure it out, we too are sucked in to the whirlpool and are drowned or almost drowned.
Years ago when I was still in my late teens and early 20's, I allowed myself to get sucked into a cult. I say allowed myself because it is true. From the first moment I met Jeffrey Lundgren, I did not like him. There was something cold and hard about him that gave me the willies, and there was a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach that warned me to stay away. I managed to stay away for the first few weeks of my summer job as a tour guide at the Kirtland Temple. Then one day, Jeff found me alone in the visitor's center and used the opportunity to gain my trust. He came to me and said, "I know we don't see eye to eye on a lot of things, but I hope that doesn't stop us from having a good working relationship." It was at that moment my Pollyanna mind took over. I thought, "Maybe I have misjudged him. Maybe I should be a little more open to who Jeff is."
That was all it took for me to allow myself to open the door to evil. While my story ended much better than most in the group, the whole experience did teach me something. I understood how important it was to directly connect to God myself instead of looking to other people for answers. Others would potentially lie to me and abuse me. God never would, and he would give me the information I truly needed to know--even if I didn't understand it at the time.
So how do we recognize evil if it stays in the shadows? By being conscious and aware, and that means being connected to the Divine through the connection within your own heart. The heart connection has access to all information where the brain does not. It was my brain that reasoned, "How could anyone who professes to want to have a good working relationship not really be good at heart?" I allowed the bad vibes I got through my heart connection to be overshadowed by something my mind told me was a good thing!
In order to recognize evil when it comes your way, stay in your heart and listen to it when it gives you a feeling or other information that is out of the ordinary. Understand that the stronger the feeling you have about someone or something, the more likely it is that the danger is bigger. Most people you encounter through your heart space will not give you big, bad feelings. This is because most people are just like you--not perfect but at least trying to lead a good life.
One thing you can consciously do is ask questions about new people and new situations. When you encounter a new person you might ask the universe, "What do I need to know about this person? What do I need to pay attention to?" Asking questions when you are in your heart space will give you answers. If unexpected information comes, whether good or bad, do yourself a favor and listen to it!!! That is definitely the Divine speaking to you. Seemingly random information does not just come of its own accord. If you find yourself thinking, "Where did that thought come from?" That is exactly the sort of information you need to pay attention to!!!
Recognizing true evil is not an easy thing to do, but it gets easier the more you encounter it and listen to the information your heart gives you. It is your heart that will keep you safe and help you navigate the treacherous waters we all encounter from time to time in life.
Continue to be conscious, be aware and ask questions. It may just save you from a world of pain and misery.
~CSE
True evil tends to be insidious. It waits in the shadows and allows goodness to take overt control. Then, when your trust has been granted and your guard is down, evil takes over. Generally by the time most of us figure it out, we too are sucked in to the whirlpool and are drowned or almost drowned.
Years ago when I was still in my late teens and early 20's, I allowed myself to get sucked into a cult. I say allowed myself because it is true. From the first moment I met Jeffrey Lundgren, I did not like him. There was something cold and hard about him that gave me the willies, and there was a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach that warned me to stay away. I managed to stay away for the first few weeks of my summer job as a tour guide at the Kirtland Temple. Then one day, Jeff found me alone in the visitor's center and used the opportunity to gain my trust. He came to me and said, "I know we don't see eye to eye on a lot of things, but I hope that doesn't stop us from having a good working relationship." It was at that moment my Pollyanna mind took over. I thought, "Maybe I have misjudged him. Maybe I should be a little more open to who Jeff is."
That was all it took for me to allow myself to open the door to evil. While my story ended much better than most in the group, the whole experience did teach me something. I understood how important it was to directly connect to God myself instead of looking to other people for answers. Others would potentially lie to me and abuse me. God never would, and he would give me the information I truly needed to know--even if I didn't understand it at the time.
So how do we recognize evil if it stays in the shadows? By being conscious and aware, and that means being connected to the Divine through the connection within your own heart. The heart connection has access to all information where the brain does not. It was my brain that reasoned, "How could anyone who professes to want to have a good working relationship not really be good at heart?" I allowed the bad vibes I got through my heart connection to be overshadowed by something my mind told me was a good thing!
In order to recognize evil when it comes your way, stay in your heart and listen to it when it gives you a feeling or other information that is out of the ordinary. Understand that the stronger the feeling you have about someone or something, the more likely it is that the danger is bigger. Most people you encounter through your heart space will not give you big, bad feelings. This is because most people are just like you--not perfect but at least trying to lead a good life.
One thing you can consciously do is ask questions about new people and new situations. When you encounter a new person you might ask the universe, "What do I need to know about this person? What do I need to pay attention to?" Asking questions when you are in your heart space will give you answers. If unexpected information comes, whether good or bad, do yourself a favor and listen to it!!! That is definitely the Divine speaking to you. Seemingly random information does not just come of its own accord. If you find yourself thinking, "Where did that thought come from?" That is exactly the sort of information you need to pay attention to!!!
Recognizing true evil is not an easy thing to do, but it gets easier the more you encounter it and listen to the information your heart gives you. It is your heart that will keep you safe and help you navigate the treacherous waters we all encounter from time to time in life.
Continue to be conscious, be aware and ask questions. It may just save you from a world of pain and misery.
~CSE
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