By Netta Reads
As we reflect on Juneteenth and the continuing journey toward freedom, I find myself thinking not only about physical liberation but also about spiritual liberation. Wisdom is often described as knowledge accumulated over time, yet I believe wisdom is much more than information. Wisdom is a living expression of spirit. From my perspective, the greatest freedom any individual can experience is the freedom to know the deepest part of themselves beyond the physical world. I believe there is a distinction between spirit and soul that deserves thoughtful reflection. The spirit is the eternal, independent presence, the “I Am”, that exists beyond time, beyond matter, and beyond every limitation of the physical universe. The soul, as I understand it, is an expression created through that eternal source. In this view, spirit is not created by the soul; rather, the soul is an extension of spirit. This understanding reminds us that our deepest identity is not found solely in our physical experiences but in our relationship with the eternal presence that gives life to all things.
Throughout my own journey, I have come to believe that raising one’s vibration is not simply about feeling positive emotions or pursuing temporary happiness. It is about becoming more aware of the spirit within. As our awareness expands, so does our ability to recognize truth, exercise discernment, and distinguish what is authentic from what merely appears convincing. Building a relationship with one’s own spirit becomes the foundation for this discernment. In my view, this relationship cannot be purchased, inherited, or fully taught through external systems alone. Schools, churches, scientific institutions, governments, wealth, and even human achievements all provide valuable knowledge within the physical world, but none of them can replace the deeply personal experience of discovering one’s own spiritual connection. That journey remains an inward one. It is cultivated through reflection, humility, sincerity, and a willingness to listen beyond external noise.
From this perspective, I also believe there is a profound difference between what I describe as natural light and artificial light. The natural light represents the awareness that grows from a genuine relationship with spirit. It is not manufactured through status, titles, institutions, or external recognition. It develops gradually as an individual becomes more aligned with truth, compassion, wisdom, and the eternal presence that I understand as Source. By contrast, artificial light can be mistaken for spiritual understanding because it often appears through intellectual achievement, public influence, religious performance, or external authority. While these things may have value, I do not believe they are substitutes for direct spiritual awareness. No amount of wealth, education, technology, political influence, or religious tradition alone can establish the inner relationship that each individual must ultimately cultivate for themselves. That relationship is deeply personal, and in my understanding, it remains one of the greatest responsibilities of human life.
For these reasons, I believe humanity is being invited into a deeper form of spiritual maturity, one that moves beyond dependence upon external identities and toward an authentic relationship with the spirit itself. My intention is not to diminish the value of faith communities, scientific discovery, education, or human progress. Rather, it is to suggest that these can become even more meaningful when they are grounded in a living awareness of the spirit. In my understanding, this awareness is what many traditions describe as the Holy Spirit: not merely a concept or a doctrine, but an eternal presence that guides, strengthens, and reconnects each individual to their highest purpose. As we continue evolving both technologically and socially, perhaps our greatest responsibility is not simply to expand our knowledge of the outer world, but to deepen our understanding of the inner one. In doing so, we may discover that true freedom begins not with external circumstances, but with the living relationship between the human spirit and the eternal Source from which it came.
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