Begin Where You Are: Messages of Meaning

How does one wake up to a spiritual quest? Sometimes it comes from a sudden realization and sometimes more gradually from a growing understanding of life’s experiences. Betty Bland’s particular “wake-up call” came suddenly as a result of a Near-Death Experience (NDE) in 1968, well before that became a main-stream term. The NDE catapulted her on a search to understand her experience and to put that knowledge into practice. (Because the NDE so deeply influenced Betty’s perspective, a description is included as an appendix in the book.) As a part of her sea, Betty encountered the Theosophical Society in America (TSA) which provided a wealth of helpful information. Its spiritually comprehensive worldview (beyond any specific religious teachings) provided a roadmap for the continuing exploration that became her life’s path and ever-unfolding growth. Betty became involved in many areas of service within the TSA, ultimately being elected as its national president. During her 9 years as president, she shared her growing understandings as Viewpoint articles in the regularly published Quest magazine. Over time these articles resonated with many readers, and after urgings from a number of people, she decided to make them more readily available. This collection of reflections offers threads of thought to inspire a deeper awareness of the meaning and purpose of our time on this earth and our calling to act responsibly for the well-being of all our fellow beings. May the reader find something that helps connect to the beauty and interwovenness of our amazing creation—that it might in some way make life more meaningful.