A Spiritual Look at Hurricane Recovery

Devastation in Our Backyard

Here we are, post hurricane Helene. I survived. My house survived. Unfortunately, countless others were not so fortunate. Hurricane Helene left a trail of destruction, leaving countless people in the South East homeless and facing an uncertain future. Many lost everything. Everything.

My intent is to offer insights and perspectives on the spiritual and psychological aspects of Hurricane Helene, rather than assigning blame or judgment.

There is a small community two miles down the street from me. I heard it was devastated. I felt a strong urge to witness the devastation firsthand and offer any help I could. I know people who live there, so I went there and drove around once it was safe to do so. All I can tell you is this, nothing can truly prepare you for the devastation until you see it firsthand.

Hurricane Helene left a trail of destruction from Florida to Virginia. Many lost their lives, while countless others were left homeless. Many lost their jobs and everything they own as well.

People who I know, lost everything. Many are not insured. The cost of repairs is likely to exceed that value of the home itself. And now we know, if this place flooded once, it may flood again. Is staying worth the risk? Many have put their homes up for sale at rock bottom prices. Most have put all of their furniture and belongings out on the curb for trash pickup. One man listed his house for one dollar. Yes, one dollar, as he does not want to deal with it.

I drove around asking people if they need water, as they were busy emptying the contents of their houses. When I yelled “Excuse me,” out the car window, I was viewed with suspicion. When I asked, “Do you need water?” most said no, they already had some, but their smiles told me that just showing I cared meant a lot to them.

While witnessing the destruction, and interacting with the people, I couldn't help but ponder the deeper meaning behind these events.

Beyond the Storm: A Spiritual Perspective

Jane Roberts' book Seth Speaks significantly influenced my beliefs and shaped my thinking. Through Roberts, Seth, a non-physical entity, shared insights about the nature of reality, the power of our thoughts, and the interconnectedness of everything.

Seth's purpose was to teach us that our thoughts create and shape our reality.¹ Seth Speaks was the first of many Seth books I read over time. Her book, The Individual and the Nature of Mass Events, has been on my mind a lot the past several days. In it, Seth explains that our individual beliefs and the collective consciousness can shape mass events, including natural disasters. These events mirror the collective unconscious of humanity.

Seth suggests that large-scale events like hurricanes are a reflection of our shared thoughts and feelings as a society. The fear, worry, and deep-seated beliefs we have about storms can actually influence the storms themselves. For example, the widespread fear and anxiety about Hurricane Helene, possibly fueled by news reports, past experiences, and growing concerns about climate change, might have played a role in making the storm stronger and causing more damage.

The more "civilized" man becomes, the more his social structures and practices
separate him from intimate relationship with nature — and the more natural catastrophes there will be, because underneath he senses his great need for identification with nature; he will himself conjure it into earthquakes, tornadoes, and floods, so that he can once again feel not only their energy but his own. Seth - The Nature of Personal Reality

Seth also emphasizes the power of individual beliefs in shaping personal experiences. Individuals who were confident they would survive, or who had a profound spiritual belief that they would, may have encountered the hurricane with increased resilience or a feeling of serenity. In contrast, those who focused on negative thoughts or beliefs, such as fear, helplessness, or despair, may have experienced the hurricane more intensely and struggled to cope with its challenges.

“You are in physical existence to learn and understand that your energy, translated into feelings, thoughts and emotions, causes all experience. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS.” - Seth, Session 614

According to Seth, each of our individual beliefs and emotions affect the overall energy field. What we think of as The Law of Attraction comes into play here. We attract experiences based on our thoughts and beliefs, both on an individual and a collective level.² These events are more than just physical manifestations; they are learning experiences that drive collective growth and transformation.

I understand that when a hurricane destroys everything you own, the last thing you want to hear is that your thoughts, beliefs, and actions might have played a role. However, it's important to consider that our thoughts and beliefs can influence our experiences. Weather reports often contribute to collective fear and anxiety about hurricanes, which can manifest in the storm's intensity. This fear, fueled by our beliefs, creates the energy that can manifest as a storm.

Learning to control one’s thoughts takes a lot of time and practice. It is not easy. It takes a lot of work. If we were all taught how to do this very early in life, the world would be in a much better state. As it is, it is one of our biggest challenges.

The Role of Major Events as Catalysts for Change

Not all mass events are perceived as negative or destructive, but the majority are. Regardless, they can serve as powerful catalysts for collective growth and positive transformation. When faced with crisis, societies are forced to confront their underlying beliefs and values.

For example, Hurricane Helene challenged many people's long-held belief that the mountains are a safe haven during storms. When a hurricane is approaching, it is time to head for the hills, right? Helene demonstrated the need to re-evaluate our assumptions and adapt to changing circumstances.

Natural disasters can disrupt the status quo, forcing us to rethink our way of life and find new ways of working together. Hurricane Helene devastated coastal towns in Florida and parts of North Carolina and Tennessee, causing widespread property damage, infrastructure failures, and a shattered sense of normalcy. Despite the devastation, neighbors, many who were strangers before, came together to clean up debris, provide shelter for each other, and distribute supplies. Due to the overwhelming destruction, people were forced to rely on grassroots disaster relief networks as first responders in many cases.

The feeling of hopelessness was out in the open for all to see, and therefore action could be taken. There were old people, laden with negative beliefs about age, who discovered great vitality and further purpose under the stimuli of survival. There were people blinded and lost by a belief in the supreme importance of things, who found themselves with nothing left. They realized the relative unimportance of belongings, and felt within themselves the stirring of a freedom they had not experienced since youth…The flood therefore physically materialized the inner problems of the region, and at the same time released energies that had been trapped in hopelessness…Many lonely people were forced, or rather forced themselves, into a situation where it was imperative that they relate with others…Many also found themselves reacting with a heroism they did not realize they possessed. A sense of community unity was born, a deep feeling of companionship that had not existed earlier.³

In the aftermath of a natural disaster, people often come together to support one another. However, there are exceptions. I had a man knock on my door trying to sell me a bike he claimed to have found. He needed money to rent a U-Haul and scavenge through people's trash for items to sell. While such individuals are the minority, most people come together with a positive purpose - to help those in need.

Seth believes that major upheavals and crises are necessary for the evolution of our collective consciousness. Disasters can challenge our worldview and force us to re-evaluate our priorities. When people help others in need, it fosters empathy and compassion, leading to a deeper understanding of their experiences and motivating us to work towards a better world.

Of course, not everyone shares the same beliefs. While Seth's teachings may resonate with some, they may not be meaningful to others. However, it can't hurt to try to cultivate positive thoughts and question our own beliefs.

Seth believes that our thoughts and intentions can significantly influence our experiences. By focusing on positive thoughts and good intentions, we can shape the outcomes of our lives. During a disaster, people who focused on hope, strength, and helping others might have experienced a more positive outcome or been able to recover more quickly.

Seth provides a deep and insightful understanding of the hurricane experience. By studying the role of collective consciousness, individual beliefs, and the power of thought, we can gain a better appreciation for the spiritual and psychological aspects of such events.

In conclusion, my intent is to offer insights and perspectives on the Hurricane Helene experience, rather than assigning blame or judgment. It is my hope that by exploring the spiritual and psychological dimensions of this disaster, we can gain a greater appreciation for the complexities of natural disasters and the human response to them.

The Seth Material

The Individual and the Nature of Mass Events

Understanding Metaphysics in Modern Life

Ashes to Eden

Team Rubicon

Forgotten America in Crisis

Disaster Assistance

Disaster Assistance - Food

Disaster - Tax Relief

Disaster Unemployment - Florida

Disaster Unemployment - NC

1. https://www.sethlearningcenter.org/q_create_reality.html

2. Certainly thousands of individuals, or millions of them, do not consciously decide to bring about a hurricane, or a flood or an earthquake, in the same manner. In the first place, on that level they do not believe such a thing possible. While conscious beliefs have a part to play in such cases, on an individual basis the “inner work” is done just as unconsciously as the body produces physical symptoms. The symptoms often seem to be inflicted upon the body, just as a natural disaster seems to be visited upon the body of the earth.
https://nowdictation.com/q/book:nopr+session:665+hurricane/

—The Nature of Personal Reality; Part Two: Chapter 18: Session 665, May 23, 1973 © 2011 Laurel Davies-Butts

3. https://www.wireclub.com/topics/philosophy/conversations/UmK3dAOnShBELwai0/1