Let's consider the word: God. Hmmm. What does that word mean to you. Most often the concepts/definitions that we hang onto regarding the word God comes from either: 1) the teachings/dogma of our chosen religions; OR 2) what we were taught by authority figures that resulted in our belief systems. There are wildly diverse ideas on this subject.
I write this article not to change any one's ideas and beliefs systems. My intent is to reach out to those with whom I share a similar background. Only those of us who have gone through the kind of programming that results in so much fear...can truly appreciate how devastating the threats of the "Fear of God" can be. Easy enough to let go of intellectually...but not emotionally. Religious fear and guilt conditioning has far-reaching, damaging consequences.
I prefer not to hang out with ANY church brand of ultra religious types -- from Baptist to Catholic. Actually, I generally do just fine with those kind of pious folks -- until they open their mouths. Up until that time I consider myself pleasantly tolerant and can spew pretty words such as: "Everyone has a right to their own opinions, ideas, and beliefs" as long as they just sit there.... Quietly...Very Quietly... (please consider this with humor, because that is my intention...
I think what makes an avid religionist (of any label or brand) most vexing is when they start a sentence with (and poised to challenge) "But GOD SAYS..." and that is supposed to be the all inclusive, not to be disagreed with, final say. I have learned to tame my retorts and not say things like "God who???" or "what exactly do you think God is?" It's generally not appreciated. There is no arguing or even having a reasonable conversation with them.
In my 'search for this god' I formally 'inducted' myself into 7 different churches... I 'joined', 'embraced' and 'became'...but never found the answers to what I was looking for... I was always searching for the ultimate OUTWARD source that I was certain had to be found in "THE" right religious dogma/doctrine. I wasn't to realize til much later that all the questions that tormented me -- and the knowledge I sought -- wasn't anywhere 'out there' ..but lies within our souls.
In my opinion, absolutely nothing has been more responsible for keeping mankind from expanding his consciousness-- than religious dogma. It has been tied up in societal, cultural, and moral values, each of them, claiming to have 'the truth.' It keeps us separated on a level that most fail to recognize because we are too busy believing what 'they' have told is 'right.' Most great writers recognize the fact that religious control and influence has been the root cause for nearly all wars.
So many people are afraid to study, in a sane and open manner, the psychological effects of religious influence. Even daring to question anything we've been taught strikes fear in the hearts of men...after all, it might tempt God to promote retribution on us.
Nearly all religious dogma teaches the same thing: The most basic fundamental teaching is: _You and God are separate._ You need to be "saved" ...You need be saved in order to avoid God sending you to Hell for eternity. You need to gear your entire life toward 'pleasing' (and /or appeasing) this God. "He" is seen as this big super-MAN in the sky with the powers of a giant wizard!
Can you really call this love? The story about this god's 'son' being created to be killed?...Love? No, its a miserably bloody story. And to think some Christians 'drink the son's blood' every Sunday... So many people are afraid to question any kind of ritual. Talk about fear of 'black magic! or blood sacrifice!' What's the difference?
The Bible. What I have seen is this holy book is most used for is: "I'll prove my point by quoting scripture." Mostly to show 'the other guy' how wrong he is.
The ancient Egyptians had it right. They called the Ultimate Creative Force of all Universes "That which has no name" ...and that includes the name "God." They had their pantheons of gods and goddesses, but never implied any of them to be the Ultimate Creative Source of existence. (I personally blame that weird Pharoah Akenhaten for the monotheistic idea he had while staring at the sun...)
The New Age religions brought about quite a revolution. Granted, (IMO) it was a huge step towards the innate intelligence of the Light. They were more sensible, 'science-oriented' religions, having adopted some of the ancient wisdom, teachings, and practices of the far Eastern religions. The new thought religions purged themselves of the predominant 'hell and damnation' stories. It brought with them new and improved definitions for the word "God"... and "God Is Love" became the new catch phrase. It was an attempt to make "God" more congenial and less scary, not as threatening. Some of the newer religions were still a bit hesitant to make a 'real break' from the old conceptions and often times simply addressed some of the scarier and less palatable teachings with pleasant sounding platitudes. But, again IMO, it at LEAST allowed people to give themselves permission to question everything they had been taught and actually THINK for themselves....rather than cower in FEAR of the old god concept.
There is another segment of Christian (especially) society that appears rather innocuous and well meaning... While appearing to be this way, they still rely on phrases such as: "Well, we'll just let God judge them"...or "God will know how to take care of that person'...sometimes adding sooo self-righteously: "it's not for me to judge." Somehow I feel more honesty and trueness to self in people who scream hell and damnation...then these kinds of wolves in sheeps clothing...
No. I'm not an "aethiest" as some readers may have concluded by now. I simply believe in something BIGGER. I would only say that, far too often, when we use or think of the word "God"... that we belittle, and make incredibly 'small' the entire Life Force of all Universes. its all incredible ...and it IS beyond our comprehension. Seth originated the name "All That Is".
I've heard it said that religion is a tool --man's way of trying understand What It's All About... Maybe so..but unfortunately the 'tool' took over and is now controlling --instead of allowing enlightenment and expansion of our human minds. Being born into "sin" and having to be "saved"...and having to gear one's life devoted to "pleasing or appeasing this God" ... I can't understand why more people can't see how consciousness-confining that is. However, it wasn't all that long ago that I could relate only too well! Both this "God" and the "Devil" are man-man constructs/concepts... Maybe at one time they helped. You don't need them any more.
So...to those of you who allow others to frap you upside the head with their bibles, korans, or torahs ... just duck!... Don't allow them to control your mind or emotions or spirit. Boldly go to that Spiritual Freedom of which you ARE... and stop being afraid. As the greatest teachers say: Don't take it all so seriously. Smile--when you take those pictures of yourself!
Namaste'.
Read, Relax, and feel better about yourself. Know you are never, ever alone in how you feel or what you are going through....All is well...and so are we.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Sunday, May 22, 2011
What Didn't Happen on May 21st... Another Viewpoint...
Many of us had a lot of laughs over the to-do of the rapture that didn't occur on May 21st. I found myself, once again, getting very annoyed with any and all types of radical religionist's -- especially the evangelicals who make it clear "they have the truth"!!
After listening to Coast to CoastAM (radio) last night, which was dedicated to talking about this non-event, I found myself a little more sympathetic towards these people that I disagree with on an intellectual level.
In some ways, the people who so vehemently condemned the "rapturists"...are not too much different than the ones they are condemning. It all basically comes from The Dualistic Sources: One is Love and One is Fear. ALL things emanate from one of those two sources. The Yin and the Yang. The Dark and the Light. They BOTH serve us, making it possible (if we are seeking any depth from our own inner truth) for us to see what is serving us well and what is not. Basically ALL is well. We can turn on the Light switch. There is no Dark Switch...however, we can TURN OFF the Light Switch through our CHOICES and remain in the Dark and curse the Darkness, rather than Light that proverbial candle.
We laughed at a lot...The WHOLE WORLD got involved in this scenario! And it's good to laugh...it relieves tension and helps to 'normalize' things. Yet, I couldn't help but feel sorry for old Rev. Camping at times....as well as for those who were so convinced that this prophecy would come to pass. There is one thing we have to give them credit for: they are, at least, not afraid to express what they truly believe in. The average population seems to be more concerned about not being accepted and approved of.
Did we ever think about what caused this gigantic response? -- why it became a world wide phenomenon? I didn't. Not really. I just pawned it off to my usual thinking of: "yet another plot to keep humanity in fear." And some of that could be right. However, there was a side to this ordeal I was ignoring. The "We Are One" side.
On the C2C radio show, Dr Judith Orliff, a psychiatrist who seemed to blend science and spirituality very well, got the point across that Rev Camping and those 'crazy people' ... actually triggered a delicate point within us, --an area of the heart that we do NOT LIKE to admit to. FEAR of 'what is'...and an inner world-wide longing to find solutions and peace.
Admit it or not -- we ALL -- have those moments of saying "I am so tired of it all"...longing to find a quick and easy way out. For many people the solution would seem to be 'winning the Lotto' ... even though we like to appear 'spiritually correct' by saying 'money isn't everything.'
So, in one way, these 'Rapturists' name was Legion ... even though the way they expressed themselves could be totally opposite of what we 'approve' of.... according to our own belief systems.
I think there are more of us (than willing to admit) who might have glanced at our watches when May 21st hit Australia's fair shores...and thought "Whew!...they seemed to make it through OK...ha ha ha 'they' were wrong" ...
I DO believe that we DO create our own reality -- I also believe in different realities and dimensions ... so who is to say that in another dimension this prediction didn't come true?
I think there might have been a little more tale-telling laughter of relief involved than we wanted to admit to. I even witnessed this reactions in the young street toughs on East Colfax as I listened to their remarks. It stirred something within ALL of us.
We all want 'things to be better' ... and as Dr. Orliff said, what the 'Rapturists' did was a highly exagerated version of what we all want: solutions and peace in what can manifest as the very difficult and challenging world we inhabit.
Granted, we don't always feel or react this way. Gradually, we are all finding that the solutions Lie Within us...and to not expect some external source or event to solve all of our problems.
There have been times when I have wished that some Highly Evolved ET's would whisk down in some space ship and beam me up, together with family and friends to some Peaceful Planet. Now. Is there much difference between that and the Rapturists? No. Don't think so.
We are so used to using humor, sarcasm, and sometimes just plain meanness to cover up our own fears. Not saying its 'bad'... just saying... Maybe we need to individually attend to what brings us Peace and Joy from a more loving point of view. Condemning others will never do that for us. Instead, maybe we should consider, as the Beatles song so wisely says: _Let It Be_. ALLOW others to have their points of view.
Our choices stem from those two fountains: One is called Love...One is called Fear. Condemning others for WHATEVER they do just because we disagree with them does NOT bring us peace...it only temporarily gratifies the scared and insecure Ego. I have to constantly remind myself of that.
We always have a choice. Which do we choose?
Namaste'
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)