Q. The Bible says that in the beginning God created heaven and earth. Who created hell? — L.M.R., Boca Raton
A. Hell originates in human consciousness. Since the beginning of time, we have given hell many names, yet it is not a geographical location. It is a state of consciousness that we choose to dwell in. We create hell anytime we feel a separation from God.
When we entertain beliefs in lack and limitation, we entertain a hellish life. Hell can be compared to the experience of the suffering we go through because we have an incorrect idea about our inability to overcome something. That belief reflects our sense of separation from God.
It is strange to call hell a spiritual process, but please consider it a period of growth. We don’t have to have pain in order to grow, but some of us choose this way consciously or subconsciously. We have free will; we make choices. We all make our own heaven or hell.
We don’t go “to” hell because we do wrong things. We do wrong things because we are “in” hell. Hell is the natural unfolding of the law of cause and effect. We reap what we have sown.
As individuals, while in hell, we get an opportunity to face our mistakes and set ourselves free from their effects. It follows then that hell is actually a purification process that burns or dissolves what is not true about us.
In this sense, it is a cleansing process; clearing the way for us to be in committed alignment with God. Hell is not punishment at all!
When we come into the realization that who we are is pure Spirit, our true nature, we will rejoice and be at peace. When we are in harmony with this awareness, when all our actions are guided by this idea of God within, acting, thinking, speaking through us, we are in heaven.
Truly, to be in heaven is to see yourself as God sees you.
The Rev. Tita Calzada is pastor of Unity of Fort Lauderdale.
