I wrote this inspired philosophy to share at the Canberra Spiritualists in celebration of Reconciliation Week. It was delivered on 1 June 2025
On this week of reconciliation, what does reconciliation mean to YOU?
I was talking to a friend recently about spirituality and we reflected on our differing approaches to that higher power, the one we both choose to call God.
My friend is a devout Christian and sometimes our perspectives clash, but I appreciate her curiosity to learn more about Spiritualism as a religion, a science and as a movement. In turn, I’m curious about her particular branch of Christianity – she belongs to what is called a “charismatic church” which includes people “talking in tongues” with other interpreting the message.
I spoke to her about trance mediumship and how guides work with and through a trance medium to communicate with those present.
It’s quite surprising how there are so many similarities between our 2 religions, but they are so vastly different.
We then pondered the vastness of the universe; how incredible it is that a higher power created this infinity. And yes, we can also look at the science behind the construct of the universe…but then I ask the eternal question (coined by Paul Jacobs)…if God made everything, then who made God? If God is infinite (and infinity) then what exists outside of God’s realm? Is there such a thing as a parallel universe? If there is, what does that look like? Is it governed by the same God? Or a different God? Or just a different aspect of God?
“if God made everything, then who made God?”
In this universe, in this galaxy, is it possible that there are other planets capable of sustaining life? I think so, even if that life is limited to bacteria. And if they do sustain life, would they sustain intelligent life? If they sustain intelligent life, would those worlds have intelligent beings of greater or lesser intelligence than we experience here?
Whilst there are many reports of close encounters and UFO sightings, and there are plenty of conspiracy theories about government cover ups, we really don’t know for sure. That said, I am firmly in the camp of “I believe” because, for me, there are billions of stars and planets in our galaxy and even more in the universe – surely the chances of there being life on another planet are not outside the realm of possibility.
If there is intelligent life on other planets, and if there was contact made with them what would we hope or expect from that other life form? I’ve watched plenty of sci-fi movies and TV shows to see how people view this potentiality – and it’s typically with either aggression or cooperation.
It makes me sad to see so many portrayals of aggression between life on Earth and other life forms. Whether it was the government in ET, or hostility from afar in Independence Day, Mars Attacks, V and other films and TV shows, there always seems to be a “bad guy” which is usually “them” – and I suppose that’s how a good story is created. There has to be a hero, a character to rescue, one to dislike, fear, cheer, lament, mourn and celebrate.
Throughout time, our humanity has gone through a process of societal development – family units, community groups, clans, tribes or “peoples”, nations have grown, and some lost forever. Throughout our own long history of humanity we have seen peoples and cultures being overthrown, conquered, united, merged, enslaved, slaughtered, integrated, and celebrated. We see this adaptation in action every day when we turn on the news.
If we were to discover another world which sustained intelligent life forms, and if we had the technology to reach that planet, would we do the same there? Or would that life form do the same to us? Would our world be conquered and all of us destroyed?
It’s a bit of a moot point because we seem to be doing a pretty good job of destroying our world all by ourselves.
When I reflect on the conversation I had with my friend, when we were postulating about the vastness of the universe and infinite reach and influence of God, she made a comment.
And that comment shook me to my core and blew my tiny mind.
Her comment? I hope you’re on the edge of your seat….
She said “universe – it means One Song”
One song.
We are uniquely and infinitely connected to each other here, in the physical world but also in the spirit world.
We are all droplets of God. We are all connected to God – our very life, our humanity and our soul all sing the same song – the song of God. We are one.
We are at one – when we allow ourselves to be.
We are one with each other. We are all part of this big, crazy, unique family of humanity. Our eternal soul is forever and infinitely linked to that great source – the architect of the universe. The composer of One Song.
It doesn’t matter if your neighbour is Christian, Muslim, Hindu, atheist, agnostic, Wiccan or a little bit of everything. We are all connected to each other through our thoughts, deeds, actions and inactions. The impact of cause and effect of everything we do and say influences and impacts our world. Which in turn affects those around us.
We might have different ideas, opinions, approaches and attitudes. We might have different cultures and values but we are all connected to each other.
Our ancestors (especially those from “conquering forces”) changed the world of unique and vulnerable indigenous peoples. The expansion of empires resulted in the decimation of so many cultures.
I’m glad we know better now, well – I say that in a very general sense, because we could definitely do better.
We are now starting to see increased dialogue of some factions who are demanding “FREEDOM OF SPEECH” to express their views that we, as a society, have gone too far – that those who have traditionally enjoyed the privilege of the colour of their skin, their cultural heritage, their gender, their level of education are starting to experience some kind of disadvantage.
That this disadvantage has occurred due to the implementation of “diversity, inclusion and equity” programs. We have seen these programs and policies wound back in the US in the past few months. I ask the question – what aspect of diversity, inclusion and equity is so threatening, or so inequitable, that it needs to be removed?
We are also seeing white supremist groups become more visible, more dialogue about “white power” or “white lives matter too”. It’s happening here in Australia as well as overseas. We are seeing more dialogue and even promotion of male toxicity – alpha males, for example. We see this toxicity expressed as “I was just joking” or through the dialogue of those citing “freedom of speech”.
Messaging and publicity of ideas, ideologies and attitudes that seek to encourage discrimination and hate against minority groups, people of colour, women, trans people, gender diverse and gender fluid members of our population are ever increasing.
It makes me sad. And it makes me mad. But what can I do? What can YOU do? What can we do as individuals and as a group? We can call out this behaviour. We can call out and label this toxicity and hate speech for what it actually is. We can shine a light on those who work in the shadows.
We can remind ourselves and remind others that we are all part of this huge, crazy, dysfunctional family of humanity.
If we look to the light, if we turn to God, if we embrace and welcome the infinite love of God in our every day life, if we show kindness to those who are in pain, if we show compassion to those who suffer, and if we call out those who seek to discriminate, spread hate, spread messages that encourage discord, we might start to see a change.
We can do this in so many ways – through our social media accounts, by joining a community group, volunteer, donate money to causes that help, call out negative, hateful behaviour and shine a light where there is darkness.
And on this week of reconciliation, we can reflect on the wrongs done to our First Nations people. We can reflect on those children stolen from their families, their language, their culture, their homes and assist in the healing process. We can do this not by clutching our pearls, wringing our hands and say “but it wasn’t ME who did those things! Why should I apologize? Why should I share in the mourning? Why should I feel shame for what has happened?”
We can do this by shutting up and listening. By participating in truth telling. By allowing our First Nations people, those who are mourning what was lost, by mourning the family members that will never be reunited or celebrating the reunion when families come together, we can give time and attention for these people to tell their story without interruption.
We can share in the healing process – we can walk side by side with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander brothers and sisters and learn about the stories of survival, of sorrow, of the intricate and unique ways our First Nations peoples who have lived as one with this great land for tens of thousands of year…this land that was the universe for all the different families, clans and peoples. That whilst there were differences, and differences of opinion, culture and conflict, there is also a unity that cannot be denied.
By giving our time, lending our ear, by listening and embracing the pain of the past and even the sorrow of current events, we can continue to walk together towards reconciliation.
If we want to survive as humanity, we must start singing in harmony – harmony with our natural environment, harmony with each other and harmony with God.
Then we will all be singing One Song.