Friday, December 30, 2011
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Immaculate Turmoil
I have been in a serious funk all afternoon. I feel like my soul is clawing to get out and that my heart is exploding to do something, I just don't know what. I feel like I am lost again in that dark wood, having stumbled off the path that leads to a destination unknown. This is in stark contrast to the sense of relative peace and well being that I had been feeling for the last few days. I think I need a few hours of quiet meditation, and try to center myself, get refocused, get reconnected.
I have been practicing the Jesus Prayer (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_Prayer) for the last few days, and it seemed to be helping me focus and be more calm... until today. Part of me feels that (today at least) I have fallen apart, and another part of me feels that I have broken through a barrier of some kind.
Today is the Winter Solstice, which is a time of faith in renewal, and of things to come. Maybe that is what I am feeling. Change. But change to what? Where? How?
I give myself over to You Lord. Let Thy will be done. In the meanwhile, I will continue to chop wood and carry water.
I have been practicing the Jesus Prayer (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_Prayer) for the last few days, and it seemed to be helping me focus and be more calm... until today. Part of me feels that (today at least) I have fallen apart, and another part of me feels that I have broken through a barrier of some kind.
Today is the Winter Solstice, which is a time of faith in renewal, and of things to come. Maybe that is what I am feeling. Change. But change to what? Where? How?
I give myself over to You Lord. Let Thy will be done. In the meanwhile, I will continue to chop wood and carry water.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Religion vs. Spirituality
There has been a lot of talk lately about the inviability of Religion. In particular, when compared to Spirituality. I have watched it escalate in the last few days from mildly irreverent, yet still amusing anecdotes, to highly offensive (and for me, that takes a lot) motifs.
I agree that now, as even in early times, religions get corrupted. Jesus railed against the corruption of the Pharisees and the Sadducees of the Temple; the atrocities that have been propagated by and within the Catholic Church over the centuries; Westborough Baptist Church... (need I say more?)...
But, the religious establishment and its sacraments has it's place in our world. Let me explain... no, that would take too long. Let me sum up:
Spirituality can be seen as our own personal journey in seeking communion with the DIVINE, the HOLY, the TRUTH, the SOURCE. What ever name you want to give it. We live in a human and mundane world, surrounded by all of our human and mundane trappings, events, and problems. Occasionally, we get a glimpse into the the realm of the DIVINE. In may be through our own efforts (by prayer, meditation, service, etc...), or by events outside of ourselves (actions of others, etc...). But these glimpses are fleeting. Sometimes they leave us inspired, sometimes they leave us in despair at their briefness (for want of holing on to them), but most of the time, they simple leave us, as we fall back into our mundane world, with our mundane trappings, events, and problems.
True story: a couple of weeks ago, I was driving home from work and listening to a very positive human interest story on NPR. I do not remember what the story was about, but at the conclusion of the story, I remember looking at the sunset, and being washed over with a nearly incomprehensible JOY. I started crying, and laughing, and for a brief moment, I felt a deep connection with the HOLY. Then I passed through an intersection, and it was gone. I was back to my daily drive home to see my family, eat dinner, check homework, et cetera. It is hard, in our mundane world to find those moments. And they cannot be forced, they cannot be cajoled into manifesting themselves. They come at the WILL of the HOLY.
Religion, its establishments and its sacraments, are our mundane, human world model and map for journey towards the DIVINE. The rituals of religion (sacraments) exist to serve as a reminder, and a doorway to this realm of spirituality. Priests and ministers are there (or should be there), to serve as our doormen, or even our guides.
When I was a practicing Wiccan, we held seasonal rituals to acknowledge the "turning of the wheel", and pay homage to the God and Goddess. We even sought to "draw them down", into our presence, or even into us. As a Christian, I go to church, and I see the Priests and Ministers delivering their sermons, and performing specific rituals, that are meant to remind us, and keep us connected, even if in a superficial way (although that is absolutely NOT the point), to the HOLY.
Every path of Spirituality has Religion. The moment it passes out of the HOLY realm of thought, and into the HUMAN realm of action, or form, or ritual, it becomes Religion.
This is not (or does not have to be) a bad thing. It serves a purpose. Where we get into trouble is when we stop seeing the ritual as a representation of the HOLY, and start seeing it as the HOLY. The trap to be fallen into is the one of thinking that one can, by ritual, control the HOLY, or control the experience of the HOLY. The HOLY cannot be controlled. It is only through DIVINE GRACE that one can experience DIVINE GRACE. In this is also falls the idea of exclusivity. That is, that this ritual is the only way to do this thing, and that any variation from it is wrong. This hardens our hearts, and walls us off from the experience of the HOLY. That is not to say that one should be a dilettante about it, and bounce around from practice to practice. This approach to seeking the DIVINE EXPERIENCE will lead to no good end. But I digress...
What I am getting at here is that the responsibility of Religion, ANY Religion, and its Ministers, is to serve as map, doorway, and guide to each of its congregation. We are all priests of the HOLY. Our Map of the realm of the HOLY is our church, or temple, or synagogue, or circle. Our Guides are our Priests, or Ministers, or Rabbis, or Gurus, and our Doorway is our rituals that we that we affect in our seeking of the TRUTH. What we do with our priesthood is the question... and the answer.
I agree that now, as even in early times, religions get corrupted. Jesus railed against the corruption of the Pharisees and the Sadducees of the Temple; the atrocities that have been propagated by and within the Catholic Church over the centuries; Westborough Baptist Church... (need I say more?)...
But, the religious establishment and its sacraments has it's place in our world. Let me explain... no, that would take too long. Let me sum up:
Spirituality can be seen as our own personal journey in seeking communion with the DIVINE, the HOLY, the TRUTH, the SOURCE. What ever name you want to give it. We live in a human and mundane world, surrounded by all of our human and mundane trappings, events, and problems. Occasionally, we get a glimpse into the the realm of the DIVINE. In may be through our own efforts (by prayer, meditation, service, etc...), or by events outside of ourselves (actions of others, etc...). But these glimpses are fleeting. Sometimes they leave us inspired, sometimes they leave us in despair at their briefness (for want of holing on to them), but most of the time, they simple leave us, as we fall back into our mundane world, with our mundane trappings, events, and problems.
True story: a couple of weeks ago, I was driving home from work and listening to a very positive human interest story on NPR. I do not remember what the story was about, but at the conclusion of the story, I remember looking at the sunset, and being washed over with a nearly incomprehensible JOY. I started crying, and laughing, and for a brief moment, I felt a deep connection with the HOLY. Then I passed through an intersection, and it was gone. I was back to my daily drive home to see my family, eat dinner, check homework, et cetera. It is hard, in our mundane world to find those moments. And they cannot be forced, they cannot be cajoled into manifesting themselves. They come at the WILL of the HOLY.
Religion, its establishments and its sacraments, are our mundane, human world model and map for journey towards the DIVINE. The rituals of religion (sacraments) exist to serve as a reminder, and a doorway to this realm of spirituality. Priests and ministers are there (or should be there), to serve as our doormen, or even our guides.
When I was a practicing Wiccan, we held seasonal rituals to acknowledge the "turning of the wheel", and pay homage to the God and Goddess. We even sought to "draw them down", into our presence, or even into us. As a Christian, I go to church, and I see the Priests and Ministers delivering their sermons, and performing specific rituals, that are meant to remind us, and keep us connected, even if in a superficial way (although that is absolutely NOT the point), to the HOLY.
Every path of Spirituality has Religion. The moment it passes out of the HOLY realm of thought, and into the HUMAN realm of action, or form, or ritual, it becomes Religion.
This is not (or does not have to be) a bad thing. It serves a purpose. Where we get into trouble is when we stop seeing the ritual as a representation of the HOLY, and start seeing it as the HOLY. The trap to be fallen into is the one of thinking that one can, by ritual, control the HOLY, or control the experience of the HOLY. The HOLY cannot be controlled. It is only through DIVINE GRACE that one can experience DIVINE GRACE. In this is also falls the idea of exclusivity. That is, that this ritual is the only way to do this thing, and that any variation from it is wrong. This hardens our hearts, and walls us off from the experience of the HOLY. That is not to say that one should be a dilettante about it, and bounce around from practice to practice. This approach to seeking the DIVINE EXPERIENCE will lead to no good end. But I digress...
What I am getting at here is that the responsibility of Religion, ANY Religion, and its Ministers, is to serve as map, doorway, and guide to each of its congregation. We are all priests of the HOLY. Our Map of the realm of the HOLY is our church, or temple, or synagogue, or circle. Our Guides are our Priests, or Ministers, or Rabbis, or Gurus, and our Doorway is our rituals that we that we affect in our seeking of the TRUTH. What we do with our priesthood is the question... and the answer.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Tapped...
Was at CCC for service this morning, and during one of the praise songs, I found myself irritated that it was all about Jesus, with no deference to God. This is not the first time that this thought has crossed my mind. Now I know that God and Jesus are supposed to be One, but to proclaim Jesus as the "author of the Universe" just seemed absurd to me. The IDEA, the SALVATION, was created in the dark recesses before time as we know it...
TAP
That familiar feeling of nausea, vertigo, and being sucked out of my place in time and space washed over me like and avalanche...
TAP
That familiar feeling of nausea, vertigo, and being sucked out of my place in time and space washed over me like and avalanche...
***Sophia warned God that creating Man was a bad idea. CHRIST was created as a fail-safe.***
And then He was gone, leaving me disoriented with a strong need for a hard-boiled egg and a pint of Gatorade.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Misplaced Childhood
I am having no small difficulty with this Spiritual Timeline assignment from my EfM class. I am having to go back and remember details from my childhood that I would really rather leave locked in my precious Chinese box. I But, will chop wood and carry water, and get through it, and perhaps when it is done, I will have gleaned something positive from it.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Lament
I am remorseful that I cannot seem to find the time or the quiet space to meditate, and cannot seem to find the focus for prayer. Thoughts flash like lightning, swift and powerful through my mind, but then are gone and leave me saddened that I could not hold on to them longer. I am distracted by the world, as good of a world that it is, but I need my time in the desert.
Monday, September 19, 2011
EfM Week 2
Very interesting and exciting subject matter this week. We... (okay, "I") studied the JEDP Documentary Hypothesis ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Documentary_hypothesis ) and the difference and relationships between myth, legend, saga, and history as they pertain to the Old Testament ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_mythology ).
Hopefully I will find time to expound upon this sometime this week. Right now, I am off to bed.
Hopefully I will find time to expound upon this sometime this week. Right now, I am off to bed.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Overwhelmed
Working on my EfM studies tonight and am feeling completely overwhelmed. And it's only the first week. I was so proud of all of the hand written notes that I took on the first lesson, but as I go back and try to answer the questions in the Study Guide, I find that my notes are nearly incomprehensible. Here it is Wednesday already, and I have not even started on my lesson two material. I hope that I am not in over my head. It makes the idea of going back to actual college classes very discouraging.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Forgiveness
Had a conversation this evening about "forgiveness." The question raised was; is forgiving someone who has done you wrong, without their admitting (or even being willing to acknowledge) their wrong doing the same as letting them be right?
Discuss.
Discuss.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
On Responsible Christianity: Part 1
I have been thinking a lot lately on the concept of what I call "responsible Christianity." What does that mean? What does it mean to me? Or you? Or Bob?
I can only answer the question of what it means to me.
Part 1: Know your History and the History of your Religion
There is a lot of talk about the infallibility of the bible. That it is the original and true Word of God, as set down thousands of years ago. We now know this to simply not be true. We know that the Old Testament is a compilation of stories, histories, and legends, and mythologies, handed down by word of mouth by the Hebrew people for centuries upon centuries before finally being collected and compiled into its present form. Mind you, a great deal of care was taken in the early centuries of the Common Era to ensure that the existing texts were copied accurately, but careful examination of surviving historic texts show countless errors in copy, translation, and interpretation.
Now, this is not to say that the Old Testament is not worthy of being considered important or even Sacred scripture. It is an excellent account of the moral and sociological history of the Hebrews/Israelites. It encompasses the traditions of the people and their relationship with God, and is their ultimate handbook for good living.
But it would be irresponsible to say that the OT as we have it is as it has always been and shall always be. Just look at the differences in the English translations that we have. The King James Version, the Standard Revised Version, the International Version, the Standard English Version, and the list goes on and on, etc., ad nauseum... So if the Word is the Final Word on the subject, which version of The Word is it?
(There is also the issue of the number of books and sties that were ultimately left out of the canon, but we will save that for a different post.)
The MESSAGE of the book is what is enduring. But even that is open to interpretation. Do you interpret the text literally, or do you read the metaphor behind the message? Or both? Do you take The Word at face value, regardless of archeological support or explanation, or do you look at the physical evidence and find the balance between the two.
The Book is a Good Book. But it is a work of Man, inspired by God. But a work of Man none the less.
These are the kinds of things that I look at when I consider the idea of Practicing Responsible Christianity.
I can only answer the question of what it means to me.
Part 1: Know your History and the History of your Religion
There is a lot of talk about the infallibility of the bible. That it is the original and true Word of God, as set down thousands of years ago. We now know this to simply not be true. We know that the Old Testament is a compilation of stories, histories, and legends, and mythologies, handed down by word of mouth by the Hebrew people for centuries upon centuries before finally being collected and compiled into its present form. Mind you, a great deal of care was taken in the early centuries of the Common Era to ensure that the existing texts were copied accurately, but careful examination of surviving historic texts show countless errors in copy, translation, and interpretation.
Now, this is not to say that the Old Testament is not worthy of being considered important or even Sacred scripture. It is an excellent account of the moral and sociological history of the Hebrews/Israelites. It encompasses the traditions of the people and their relationship with God, and is their ultimate handbook for good living.
But it would be irresponsible to say that the OT as we have it is as it has always been and shall always be. Just look at the differences in the English translations that we have. The King James Version, the Standard Revised Version, the International Version, the Standard English Version, and the list goes on and on, etc., ad nauseum... So if the Word is the Final Word on the subject, which version of The Word is it?
(There is also the issue of the number of books and sties that were ultimately left out of the canon, but we will save that for a different post.)
The MESSAGE of the book is what is enduring. But even that is open to interpretation. Do you interpret the text literally, or do you read the metaphor behind the message? Or both? Do you take The Word at face value, regardless of archeological support or explanation, or do you look at the physical evidence and find the balance between the two.
The Book is a Good Book. But it is a work of Man, inspired by God. But a work of Man none the less.
These are the kinds of things that I look at when I consider the idea of Practicing Responsible Christianity.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
In preparation for the class that I will be starting in September, I spent the majority of the evening at REV Coffee studying the origins and general timeline of the Old Testament, from Abraham's departure from Ur to the Intertestamental Period.
The material covered not just a summary of events, but also the general history of how the Old Testament came to be in its present form from its stories in oral tradition to being collected into a canonical text.
The material covered not just a summary of events, but also the general history of how the Old Testament came to be in its present form from its stories in oral tradition to being collected into a canonical text.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
The Lost Gospels, BBC Documentary
Interesting BBC documentary on the lost gospels of early Christianity.
On YouTube in 9 parts.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-L7cQ3BrD5U
On YouTube in 9 parts.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-L7cQ3BrD5U
Monday, August 22, 2011
This I believe...
This train of though started back on 11/28/10, and has been added to at various times since then, and will continue to be added to, subtracted from, and modified as time progresses. These thoughts are stream of consciousness drives, and fall in no particular order.
I believe that God is not a He or a She or even an It. God IS. God is the ultimate IS-NESS.
I believe that we have to quantify God in order for our minds to understand and relate to "Him." (My use of the word "Him" is for convenience sake, and not a statement of the gender of the man or of the Infinite.)
I believe in the Angels and Archangels as creations of God. Sparks of the infinite, willed into existence for a specific purpose.
I believe that the universe came into being through the First Postulate (First Thought, First Word).
I believe that God gave us Christ through Jesus to teach us the way of peace, brotherhood, forgiveness and unity.
I believe that "salvation" comes not only from accepting Jesus's death for our sins, but in truly understanding Christ's resurrection, and the teachings that came before and after.
I believe that Hell (the act, not the place) is created by the sinner as punishment for their own shortcomings.
I believe in Heaven (The Ultimate state if Isness) as the ultimate goal of the Spirit of Man.
I believe that The Bible, a compilation of stories, histories, mythologies, and inspired works; inspired by God, but written my man, and authorized by man; is meant to serve as a handbook for living a better life.
I believe that other "inspired works," that were systematically removed from the canon of scripture and ultimately (mostly) destroyed, are worthy of historical, academic, and spiritual consideration.
I believe that God helps those who help themselves. I believe that we have been shown the way, but it is up to us to act upon it.
I do not believe that God or Christ would have us surrender our strength, our free-will, or our sense of personal responsibility.
I believe that "Evil" was created in the universe long before The Fall.
I believe that "The Devil" as we have come to call it, is the antithesis of the Holy Spirit.
I believe that man does not necessarily need "The Devil" to do evil. Some men are capable of committing atrocities that would make even "The Devil" blush.
I believe that God created Man in His own image, and Man, being the gentleman that he is, returned the favor.
To be continued.... always...
I believe that God is not a He or a She or even an It. God IS. God is the ultimate IS-NESS.
I believe that we have to quantify God in order for our minds to understand and relate to "Him." (My use of the word "Him" is for convenience sake, and not a statement of the gender of the man or of the Infinite.)
I believe in the Angels and Archangels as creations of God. Sparks of the infinite, willed into existence for a specific purpose.
I believe that the universe came into being through the First Postulate (First Thought, First Word).
I believe that God gave us Christ through Jesus to teach us the way of peace, brotherhood, forgiveness and unity.
I believe that "salvation" comes not only from accepting Jesus's death for our sins, but in truly understanding Christ's resurrection, and the teachings that came before and after.
I believe that Hell (the act, not the place) is created by the sinner as punishment for their own shortcomings.
I believe in Heaven (The Ultimate state if Isness) as the ultimate goal of the Spirit of Man.
I believe that The Bible, a compilation of stories, histories, mythologies, and inspired works; inspired by God, but written my man, and authorized by man; is meant to serve as a handbook for living a better life.
I believe that other "inspired works," that were systematically removed from the canon of scripture and ultimately (mostly) destroyed, are worthy of historical, academic, and spiritual consideration.
I believe that God helps those who help themselves. I believe that we have been shown the way, but it is up to us to act upon it.
I do not believe that God or Christ would have us surrender our strength, our free-will, or our sense of personal responsibility.
I believe that "Evil" was created in the universe long before The Fall.
I believe that "The Devil" as we have come to call it, is the antithesis of the Holy Spirit.
I believe that man does not necessarily need "The Devil" to do evil. Some men are capable of committing atrocities that would make even "The Devil" blush.
I believe that God created Man in His own image, and Man, being the gentleman that he is, returned the favor.
To be continued.... always...
Sunday, August 21, 2011
The way Some People Think, CCC
If we all lived as though the Lord WAS coming, we would all be a whole lot nicer to each other.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
In a nut-shell...
It is interesting, going back through the journal that I have been keeping for the last few years, how some of my viewpoints have changed. Some of them in major ways, some of them very subtly. **All posts prior to this moment (and this moment... and this moment...) are subject to change in perspective without notice (although I will try to keep up with them as best I can.)**
I thought it might be pertinent to give a little background information on who I am and why I am doing this.
I was raised in a non religious family. Both of my parents (my Mom and Step Dad) are agnostic. I spent my summers in New York (with my Dad and Step Mom) from the age of six to sixteen in a Hindu Ashram.
I went to church occasionally as a child; Catholic Church when I would spend the weekend at my best friends house, and Southern Baptist church when I would spend time with any of my varied grand and great-grandparents.
As a teenager, I started studying the occult, and western European pagan religions. I spent well over fifteen years as a practicing Wiccan/Pagan, going so far as to very nearly completing formal studies to become a Wiccan High Priest.
I was introduced to Scientology in in the late 90's, and found that it changed my perspectives on things. A lot of Scientology makes sense, and there are still a lot of its premises and practices that I still adhere to. (You may be surprised at how much Scientology has in common with the underlying ideas of paganism and even Christianity). I left off being an active Scientologist due to my disagreements with the church's administration.
In the Spring of 2007, I had an incident (or a series of incidents) that changed everything, both in my spiritual life and in my physical life (more on this in a future post). This led me, over the last five years, over a very rocky path to where I am now.
Ultimately, this journal will go back to that first incident in the Spring of 2007, in hopes that I may make some sort of sense of it all.
I am not here to preach the Gospel. I am not here to proselytize. I am here to talk about my experiences. Perhaps through others reading this blog, they will provide insight that will further my spiritual journey. And perhaps my experiences will help others with theirs.
I thought it might be pertinent to give a little background information on who I am and why I am doing this.
I was raised in a non religious family. Both of my parents (my Mom and Step Dad) are agnostic. I spent my summers in New York (with my Dad and Step Mom) from the age of six to sixteen in a Hindu Ashram.
I went to church occasionally as a child; Catholic Church when I would spend the weekend at my best friends house, and Southern Baptist church when I would spend time with any of my varied grand and great-grandparents.
As a teenager, I started studying the occult, and western European pagan religions. I spent well over fifteen years as a practicing Wiccan/Pagan, going so far as to very nearly completing formal studies to become a Wiccan High Priest.
I was introduced to Scientology in in the late 90's, and found that it changed my perspectives on things. A lot of Scientology makes sense, and there are still a lot of its premises and practices that I still adhere to. (You may be surprised at how much Scientology has in common with the underlying ideas of paganism and even Christianity). I left off being an active Scientologist due to my disagreements with the church's administration.
In the Spring of 2007, I had an incident (or a series of incidents) that changed everything, both in my spiritual life and in my physical life (more on this in a future post). This led me, over the last five years, over a very rocky path to where I am now.
Ultimately, this journal will go back to that first incident in the Spring of 2007, in hopes that I may make some sort of sense of it all.
I am not here to preach the Gospel. I am not here to proselytize. I am here to talk about my experiences. Perhaps through others reading this blog, they will provide insight that will further my spiritual journey. And perhaps my experiences will help others with theirs.
Just a note...
After posting several back dated entries, and updating my blog description, I realized that I am feeling a little defensive about this. I have many friends who are Christan, and many who are of other faiths and practices. Someone said to me today; "I can't imagine how uncomfortable it must be for you, and the rest, to deal with the public perception...". It is not "the public" that I am uncomfortable with. The Public does not know my faith. I am much more uncomfortable sharing this with my friends. Some of my experiences may be seen as unconventional, or even unbelievable. But I am doing it anyway, in hopes that I may gain some insight from my loving and caring friends.
That's all I've got for now. I'm going to bed.
That's all I've got for now. I'm going to bed.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Am I/I am a Christian./?
I try to life my life day based on my understanding of God and Christ. Not other peoples interpretation of God and Christ.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
From the depths of Heaven
My soul falls to the
Heights of Hell.
I stand here on my mountain top
starring up at the diamond studded,
black velvet underside of Heaven.
Milton once told me that it was "Better to reign than to serve."
What do I reign over now? Who do I now serve?
What is the Truth about God?
Who decided what the Truth about God was?
My soul falls to the
Heights of Hell.
I stand here on my mountain top
starring up at the diamond studded,
black velvet underside of Heaven.
Milton once told me that it was "Better to reign than to serve."
What do I reign over now? Who do I now serve?
What is the Truth about God?
Who decided what the Truth about God was?
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Jesus-Christ-God-Self
Jesus~Christ
Jesus=Christ
Jesus//Christ
Christ~God
Christ=God
Christ//God
God~Self
God=Self
God//Self
Jesus=Christ
Jesus//Christ
Christ~God
Christ=God
Christ//God
God~Self
God=Self
God//Self
Mirages and Oasises
Lord, I feel that the end of my long journey is in sight, yet my destination seems to forever shimmer on the horizon mike a mirage. I ask you to guide me on the straight path and lead me to the oasis of my solace.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
A Scientological Approarch
The goal of every living organism in this universe is ultimately Survival. From survival as itself as an individual organism to becoming one again with all of creation, the goal is the same.
Good and Bad, Right and Wrong, Righteousness and Sin can all be said to be measured by how Pro-Survival or Anti-Survival any particular action is across the Dynamics.
When evaluating your thoughts and deeds, actions that are good for more dynamics than no, could be considered to be Good, or Pro-Survival Actions. Actions that would adversely effect more of the Dynamics than not would be considered to be Bad, or Anti-Survival actions.
This is pretty straight forward stuff.
We exist and survive and strive to achieve perfection across eight planes, or Dynamics:
1. Self- Survival as Self: Who we are as human beings. Our personalities, our bodies, our minds.
2. Family/Sex- Our survival into the future through procreation. Our selection of a partner. Our our relationship with our immediate family.
3. Groups- Our survival as and of groups. Large or small groups. We are social animals. We need groups. This could be your co-workers, your social groups, your neighborhood, your city, your country, your race.
4. Mankind- Survival of and as Mankind.
5. All Life- The survival of and as part of all life on the planet (or in the cosmos)
6. Physical Universe- Survival of and as part of the physical universe. Matter-Energy-Space-Time.
7. Spirituality- Survival as a spiritual being and of spiritual beings
8. Infinity (Supreme Beingness, God, etc...)- Survival towards regaining unity with God
**********************************************************************
In relations with others, a formula can be observed. This same formula can be applied to you relationship with God:
The ARC Triangle represents the relationship between Affinity (your willingness to be close to something), Reality (your agreement or understanding with/of something) and Communication (your ability to talk, or other wise communicate about something.
It is a truth, that when one corner of the triangle drops, the others follow suite.
Communication is the pinnacle of this process. Through Communication, Reality is established. With reality comes Affinity (or at the very least an acceptance of what something is.)
I will update this more soon.
Good and Bad, Right and Wrong, Righteousness and Sin can all be said to be measured by how Pro-Survival or Anti-Survival any particular action is across the Dynamics.
When evaluating your thoughts and deeds, actions that are good for more dynamics than no, could be considered to be Good, or Pro-Survival Actions. Actions that would adversely effect more of the Dynamics than not would be considered to be Bad, or Anti-Survival actions.
This is pretty straight forward stuff.
We exist and survive and strive to achieve perfection across eight planes, or Dynamics:
1. Self- Survival as Self: Who we are as human beings. Our personalities, our bodies, our minds.
2. Family/Sex- Our survival into the future through procreation. Our selection of a partner. Our our relationship with our immediate family.
3. Groups- Our survival as and of groups. Large or small groups. We are social animals. We need groups. This could be your co-workers, your social groups, your neighborhood, your city, your country, your race.
4. Mankind- Survival of and as Mankind.
5. All Life- The survival of and as part of all life on the planet (or in the cosmos)
6. Physical Universe- Survival of and as part of the physical universe. Matter-Energy-Space-Time.
7. Spirituality- Survival as a spiritual being and of spiritual beings
8. Infinity (Supreme Beingness, God, etc...)- Survival towards regaining unity with God
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In relations with others, a formula can be observed. This same formula can be applied to you relationship with God:
The ARC Triangle represents the relationship between Affinity (your willingness to be close to something), Reality (your agreement or understanding with/of something) and Communication (your ability to talk, or other wise communicate about something.
It is a truth, that when one corner of the triangle drops, the others follow suite.
Communication is the pinnacle of this process. Through Communication, Reality is established. With reality comes Affinity (or at the very least an acceptance of what something is.)
I will update this more soon.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Faith is not about believing in the power of God to help you.
Faith is about believing in the power of God WITHIN you to help yourself!
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God is the ultimate ISNESS.
All other gods have been but ASPECTS. That which were needed by a particular people, in a particular place, at a particular time.
***********************************************************
The Gods of Man are limited in time and space. They are temporal.
Faith is about believing in the power of God WITHIN you to help yourself!
************************************************************
God is the ultimate ISNESS.
All other gods have been but ASPECTS. That which were needed by a particular people, in a particular place, at a particular time.
***********************************************************
The Gods of Man are limited in time and space. They are temporal.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Today has been an uphill struggle to get to church. Particularly with the boys. The usual kids-not doing-what-they-are-told-to-do stuff.
I got introduced the other day to someone as The Preacher!?!
I was so taken aback, that I had no response but to shake the man's hand, smile, and beat a hasty retreat for the door.
I wanted it to be true. I would love to go back to school for my BA in Theology, or even seminary.
There is a comfort in the idea. An idea that I am afraid will never manifest itself into a reality. That makes me very sad, and I am forced to lock that into my precious Chinese box.
I got introduced the other day to someone as The Preacher!?!
I was so taken aback, that I had no response but to shake the man's hand, smile, and beat a hasty retreat for the door.
I wanted it to be true. I would love to go back to school for my BA in Theology, or even seminary.
There is a comfort in the idea. An idea that I am afraid will never manifest itself into a reality. That makes me very sad, and I am forced to lock that into my precious Chinese box.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Still trying to decide...
As I sit here in the bedroom, still trying to decide if getting baptized tomorrow is the right thig and the right time...
I find C's Angel Cards on the bed.
I somewhat reluctantly pick them up and peruse the guide book. I choose my four cards and lay them face down.
1. Ariel- Psychic awakening, mysterie, healing.
2. The Caduceus: Raphael's Staff: Grounding, integration, polarity, balance.
3. Pistis Sophia: Realization of life's potential.
4. Tabris/Oriel: Choice, finding the door to the Light. Free Will. Destiny.
Hmm...
I find C's Angel Cards on the bed.
I somewhat reluctantly pick them up and peruse the guide book. I choose my four cards and lay them face down.
1. Ariel- Psychic awakening, mysterie, healing.
2. The Caduceus: Raphael's Staff: Grounding, integration, polarity, balance.
3. Pistis Sophia: Realization of life's potential.
4. Tabris/Oriel: Choice, finding the door to the Light. Free Will. Destiny.
Hmm...
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Easter Sunday
Rough morning at Church this morning.
What is it about allowing Jesus into my life that I am so afraid of?
I want to get baptized next Sunday, but I am afraid to.
I want to allow... to accept Jesus Christ into my life, but am afraid to.
WHY?
I cried and prayed and cried through church today.
I try to pray, but my thoughts wander...
I want... I need my week in a cabin... my forty days in the desert...
What is it about allowing Jesus into my life that I am so afraid of?
I want to get baptized next Sunday, but I am afraid to.
I want to allow... to accept Jesus Christ into my life, but am afraid to.
WHY?
I cried and prayed and cried through church today.
I try to pray, but my thoughts wander...
I want... I need my week in a cabin... my forty days in the desert...
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Afraid to get baptized
My fear of Baptism within a church is the expectations of being dedicated to THAT church's idea of Christ. The weight of the expectation of others.
What of MY Christ? What of MY God? What of MY EXPECTATIONS?!?
What of MY Christ? What of MY God? What of MY EXPECTATIONS?!?
Palm Sunday 2011
From a TV sermon this morning: "The Holy Spirit is bestowed upon recipients in different ways; some with knowledge, some with faith, some with prophesy, some with tongues."
I am having difficulty with my "faith." Christ is a spiritual fact, but I do not FEEL the Christ within me. I am envious of those who do. I am envious of those who feel this all-encompassing peace that seems to come with Faith in Christ. This I do not have.
One the drive to church this morning, I seemed to hear a voice. A message: "Yours is not the place of faith. Your role is once of the skeptic and scholar, and one of knowledge."
It was very difficult to concentrate on this, what with driving and all.
I came to church today at my wife's prompting.
It is far more for the boy's sake than what I am getting out of it. I like the sermons here, but I am not feeling any sense of spiritual fulfillment from it. I WANT TO FEEL DAMNIT!!!
I am feeling detached and lost again. And I hate it. There HAS to be something more than this.
True Self - Truth of being yourself - of being spiritual - of worship - is your soul's link to God
I wonder if I am over analyzing things again?
I am having difficulty with my "faith." Christ is a spiritual fact, but I do not FEEL the Christ within me. I am envious of those who do. I am envious of those who feel this all-encompassing peace that seems to come with Faith in Christ. This I do not have.
One the drive to church this morning, I seemed to hear a voice. A message: "Yours is not the place of faith. Your role is once of the skeptic and scholar, and one of knowledge."
It was very difficult to concentrate on this, what with driving and all.
I came to church today at my wife's prompting.
It is far more for the boy's sake than what I am getting out of it. I like the sermons here, but I am not feeling any sense of spiritual fulfillment from it. I WANT TO FEEL DAMNIT!!!
I am feeling detached and lost again. And I hate it. There HAS to be something more than this.
True Self - Truth of being yourself - of being spiritual - of worship - is your soul's link to God
I wonder if I am over analyzing things again?
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Notes from our Angelic Visitation
Angelic Visitation
Preface: My dad called me one day prior to this and asked me if I would accept the gift of an angelic visitation from him and Patty. He explained that someone offered him the same gift, and the price was to pass it on to someone else. I reluctantly accepted. When the designated night came, Celeste put out offerings and lit candles, but I was still incredulous. Then the clock struck 11, the wind picked up suddenly outside and blew the previously closed door open. All of the hair on my neck stood up, and Celeste collapsed to the floor.
Half-an-hour later, we were all sitting around the dining room table. These are our notes from that encounter:
ABURIEL- He who leads them
AREFIEL- He who brings healing
SAMARIEL- He who is the Warrior Spirit
ANURIEL- He who brings renewal
LAURIEL- She who is gentleness and wisdom
(spelling may not be 100%. Ex: "iel" may be "ael")
"These are not our true names, but names which you can understand"
"Do not doubt"
What you believe to be your imagination is The Spirit speaking to you, through you."
Do not be afraid to speak the words in your mind aloud."
The Truth is more beautiful than you can ever imagine."
At Celeste: "Why do you cry? You cannot imagine the tremendous peace he has found not the tremendous love he has for you." Speaking of her father who had passed in 2007.
AMAT UHUR ARA KI
AVA BENDU SHALA
AHAREME'
After this first night, the presences stayed around for the proscribed week. We went camping that weekend, and they attended us even there. It was the weekend of the "Super-moon."
Preface: My dad called me one day prior to this and asked me if I would accept the gift of an angelic visitation from him and Patty. He explained that someone offered him the same gift, and the price was to pass it on to someone else. I reluctantly accepted. When the designated night came, Celeste put out offerings and lit candles, but I was still incredulous. Then the clock struck 11, the wind picked up suddenly outside and blew the previously closed door open. All of the hair on my neck stood up, and Celeste collapsed to the floor.
Half-an-hour later, we were all sitting around the dining room table. These are our notes from that encounter:
ABURIEL- He who leads them
AREFIEL- He who brings healing
SAMARIEL- He who is the Warrior Spirit
ANURIEL- He who brings renewal
LAURIEL- She who is gentleness and wisdom
(spelling may not be 100%. Ex: "iel" may be "ael")
"These are not our true names, but names which you can understand"
"Do not doubt"
What you believe to be your imagination is The Spirit speaking to you, through you."
Do not be afraid to speak the words in your mind aloud."
The Truth is more beautiful than you can ever imagine."
At Celeste: "Why do you cry? You cannot imagine the tremendous peace he has found not the tremendous love he has for you." Speaking of her father who had passed in 2007.
AMAT UHUR ARA KI
AVA BENDU SHALA
AHAREME'
After this first night, the presences stayed around for the proscribed week. We went camping that weekend, and they attended us even there. It was the weekend of the "Super-moon."
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