I wish to explore and discuss the reality at the heart of all religions.
I have thought about this a lot, for many years, and I have developed a few
conclusions and opinions. Many of these may be controversial, or maybe not...
I expect to open a number of subjects for discussion.
Please feel free to comment on any of these:
1. Mystical experience: there are several varieties, including enlightenment
as well as prophetic visions and personal inspiration.
2. Practical ideals: I have discerned these in the world's various sacred literatures
and Scriptures - Truth, Freedom, Love and Wisdom. I feel that they are the
foundations of morality, and the priorities that God wishes us to pursue.
3. Silence: including meditation and worship. The unlimited Way can only be
followed in the silence of one's own heart.
4. Virtue: the transformation of one's character to reflect the perfection of God.
Muslims call this the interior jihad, and it is truly a great struggle.
5. Community: God always wants us to reach out to others in His name, both for
our own fulfillment and for His joy.
6. Creation: this is a very deep subject. God wants us to respect and enjoy his, and
to find the talents He gave us for our participation in this activity.
7. Reconciliation: Clearly there is much that is amiss in this world. Thus we have
the concept of sin. We need to bridge the alienation between ourselves and God,
other persons and Nature. Thankfully, God is ready with His grace to help.
8. Prayer: How do we pray so that we, and God, get the most out of the encounter?
What does God want to hear and to say to us, and what does he want us to get from it?
Are there some secrets that the Masters know better than the rest of us?
As far as I have read in the world's various Scriptures, and I have least dabbled in
most of them, these are the central topics of most interest to God and to ourselves.
The differences are mostly cultural and/or due to differences of the personalities or
agendas of the prophets.
Of course, if you wish to suggest a new topic, feel free to email me, and I may take
it up in a future entry. Even now, I can think of a couple more... Apocalypticism,
and the Afterlife. Hmmm... more to come. I hope to hear your views as mine emerge
here. Variety and harmony also please our God.
May He bless you always with His Presence and His merciful guidance.
"May Adonai bless you and protect you! May Adonai deal kindly and graciously with you! May Adonai lift up his countenance upon you and grant you peace!" (Torah, Numbers 6:24-26) And Jesus said, "Allow the little children to come unto me. Forbid them not, for of such is the Kingdom of God. Truly, I say unto you, unless you receive the Kingdom of God as a little child does, you shall not enter therein." (New Testament, Mark 10:14-16)
Sojourning at an Oasis Paradise
My purpose for living this life, and for writing this blog, is to understand the faith that links us to God. I wish to explore and discuss the reality at the heart of all of the world's religions. This is an immense task, but I know that God also has faith in us, trusting that we do desire the truth, as well as freedom, love and wisdom. Thus, as always, He meets us halfway. Even as God has given us individual souls, so we must each of us trace out an individual pathway to God. Whether we reside in the cities of orthodox religion, or wend our solitary ways through the barren wastelands, God watches over us and offers us guidance and sustenance for the journey.
Most of what you will see here is the result of extensive personal study, combined with some careful speculation. Occasionally, I may simply offer some Scripture or an inspirational text. I am a wide reader, and the connection of some topics and ideas to matters of faith and religion may not seem immediately obvious, but perhaps I may spell it out in the end... or maybe, you will decide that it was just a tangent. Anyway, I hope that you will find my meanderings to be spiritually enlightening, intellectually stimulating, or at least somewhat entertaining.
Most of what you will see here is the result of extensive personal study, combined with some careful speculation. Occasionally, I may simply offer some Scripture or an inspirational text. I am a wide reader, and the connection of some topics and ideas to matters of faith and religion may not seem immediately obvious, but perhaps I may spell it out in the end... or maybe, you will decide that it was just a tangent. Anyway, I hope that you will find my meanderings to be spiritually enlightening, intellectually stimulating, or at least somewhat entertaining.
Showing posts with label virtue. Show all posts
Showing posts with label virtue. Show all posts
Thursday, December 3, 2009
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