Monthly Archive for July, 2011

Cloud Of Unknowing

Published on July 31, 2011 in Daily Commentary. 1 Comment

The Cloud of Unknowing is an anonymous work of Christian mysticism written in Middle English in the latter half of the 14th century. The text is a spiritual guide on contemplative prayer in the late Middle Ages. It’s deep and therefore mostly ignored by mainline Christianity; however, next to the Bible it’s one of the most sold books of history.

We live in that cloud!

Every day we awaken to new possibilities: our potential is limitless. Unless we realize though that we’re not the center of the universe, we’ll fall far short of our potential. We have a dance partner waiting for us each day. That partner goes by many names depending upon your cultural-geographical heritage.

Most here in the West call their partner Holy Spirit.

But, let me remind you that your partner is Spirit, not MALE (Abba Father), nor FEMALE (Sophia). There’s nothing wrong with making your partner of the opposite sex if that’s easier and more comfortable for you, but it’s not the reality.

Did I mention it’s best to allow your partner to LEAD most of the time. Hey, your partner created you, selected the music, and has a specific dance in mind for today. And you want to do your own thing?

Think again Twinkle Toes!

Scabs & Scales

Published on July 30, 2011 in Daily Commentary. 0 Comments

Many adults can’t keep from picking or pulling scabs off their bodies. You know, those little crusts that are discharged from and covering a healing wound. Scabs are ugly but at least they are a part of the healing process.

And then we have scales of which there are many definitions.

I am referencing one of the many small plat- like dermal or epidermal structures that characteristically form the external covering of we humanoids. So, much like scabs, scales are protectors of our skin and body.

Then there’s the metaphorical definition that evokes the opposite.

Too many people have scabs which cover scars which are both physical and emotional while others like Maya Angelou speaks of scars that freed her to write. Leonard Cohen writes, “Children show scars like medals. Lovers use them as secrets to reveal. A scar is what happens when the word is made flesh.”

So, what’s the story of YOUR SCARS, your SCABS?

Are they proof that you’ve been hurt and wounded or are they symbols that you truly are being HEALED? And, you answer is?

Academic Curiosity

Published on July 29, 2011 in Daily Commentary. 0 Comments

Once upon a time in a denomination far, far away from my current thinking, I was ever engrossed and challenged by the Bible

What a wonderful and masterful book God had written. What an impossible project. How could so many authors, under the guise of the Holy Spirit write such consistent thinking, rules and laws over 3,500 years? The Bible was truly miraculous. And I was ever diligent to seek out and defend the arguments.

And was I ever argumentative! :-(

Somewhere along the journey, I began to be taken by the LOVE of Bible and particular that unconditional love of Jesus. More and more arguments seemed to not matter as much. I found myself looking into the HEART of the person to whom I was speaking and not trying to get inside their HEAD. And most amazing was the fact that I discovered I no longer needed to get someone SAVED!

I am still academically curious.

BUT!

More importantly, I’m wanting to see how I can be more like Jesus, less like the religious culture around me, and highly interested in what others have to say and what needs they might have that I could help with and maybe even solve. My HEAD is still in the game, but my HEART tells it when it can play and when it needs to just SIT on the sidelines.

Are you in the game? Got game? Which game?

Newtonian Thinking

Published on July 28, 2011 in Daily Commentary. 0 Comments

It’s obvious to me that the world needs some serious adjustments!

And I can also imagine Mother Nature saying that we humanoids need a good attitude adjustment, if not a whole new mind makeover. Paul gets credit for saying it something like this in Romans 8:22 (NLT) “For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.” It’s like, come on people, we’re way past time with doing what we were sent here to do!

Get out of your Newtonian left brain thinking!

Life is a dance, a mystery, and joy beyond belief when we enter into the world of the Spirit. Dogma and doctrine have their place, but it’s not at the front of the line. Scientists have moved on, when will the church? Scientists haven’t destroyed Newton’s laws, they exist; however, they have also adopted quantum physics that goes way beyond Newtonian physics.

Too many are living in the old limbic brain paradigms and ignoring what our neo cortex or pre frontal lobes are saying. Are you listening?

A Now Word?

Published on July 27, 2011 in Daily Commentary. 0 Comments

Eckhart Tolle opened up a whole new world for many people. This German-born Canadian spiritual teacher opened up many new ways of thinking with his book, The Power of Now and the follow up, A New Earth.

Everyone is talking about living in the NOW!

Ah, but talking about such and being-doing such are two entirely different things. One of the things that’s most important when we discover a new truth or principle is that we learn to dance with it, let it become second nature to us, and above all give those truths FEET. In other words, how does that play out in reality?

Let me give you my one word description of NOW.

Are you ready?

FORGIVENESS!
Forgiveness is a state of mind, and as Joseph Chilton Pearce wrote in his book, The Biology Of Transcendence, “Forgiveness is a way to live in the present moment, which means to allow each instant to pass without carrying negative elements of it over into the next”. So, are you living in the NOW?

Is there any un-forgiveness in your life?

Transcendence & Transformation

Published on July 26, 2011 in Daily Commentary. 0 Comments

Transformation can be something minor or major but either way, it’s a change, usually into something with an improved appearance or usefulness for everyone. Who isn’t interested in transformation: be it in weight, health, or just ones demeanor.

Then there’s transcendence!

In transcendence one goes beyond the limits of experience and hence unknowable. One is led into the mystery and dance of life with an end result far more dangerous than transformation regardless of how major that might look. It is also a lifestyle that’s beyond the ordinary range of perception, and thus scary!

It’s a deep rabbit hole with seemingly no bottom floor.

So, tell me again. Why would one want to play around with this concept called transcendence? Wouldn’t you basically lose yourself? Aha! Bingo! But, let’s say it in a different way. Let’s say you lose who you think you are, you ditch the ME than we’re
not. We take on our true nature. Isn’t that what life is really about?

Aren’t we here to discover who I AM, who WE BE, and lay down our false self (life) for the greater calling of Christos (or whatever name you want to attach to the divine within)?

Who’s The Shaman?

Published on July 25, 2011 in Daily Commentary. 0 Comments

Jews said that their high priest was the go-between them and Yahweh.
Catholics says that the Pope is an intermediary between the people and God.
Protestants look upon the Bible as a communicative link between them and God.

So, are these three groups above shamanic? Hardly!

Universally it is understood that a shaman is a person who acts as intermediary between the natural and supernatural worlds, using magic to cure illness, foretell the future, control spiritual forces, etc. Many shamans go way part just being an intermediary though, they can move in and out of perceived natural reality, move backwards and forwards in time (which to them doesn’t exist), and change into the physique of an animal.

Shamans change reality through an altered state of consciousness.

Most Christians shudder at the thought of an altered reality, preferring instead the status quo of mind-numbing sameness with worn out ancient rituals that are devoid of meaning as well as constructive results. We FINITE beings must alter our state if we’re to touch the INFINITE and come into the awareness of our true being and nature.

Can it be done in our so-called “civilized world” which has been sanitized and stripped from anything akin to nature?

I doubt it. Our climate controlled houses, air conditioned cars, and digitized work places totally alienate us from the real world which grass grows, trees provide shade, animals interact, rain refreshes, sun gives light, and all of creation speaks. But, if we’re in a different world, can we really CONNECT to the divine?

Could a shaman be shamanic in the world we live in?

You tell me!

Sunday Morning?

Published on July 24, 2011 in Daily Commentary. 0 Comments

What am I doing at home?

It’s Sunday morning!

Well, I am used to that now. In fact, the last five years of no church on Sunday morning (not to mention Sunday evening and mid week services) much like having gone to church for FIVE plus decades on Sunday, was the norm. Spiritual things aren’t about a cultural church attendance day, but about being the LOVE that God and we are.

The world would be much better off we everyone “acted” the other six days of the week as they did on those 1-3 hours on Sunday morning.

Habits are a mix of good and bad, but for me, the best habit is living life like Jesus did. His love was unconditional because of the time he spent in communion and ONENESS with the Creator that he chose to call “Abba Father”. Whatever vision or metaphor you choose for the Creator, remember that it’s all about being LOVE, not some ritualistic church attendance regardless of the day of the week.

You okay with that? :-)

PS. You can also attend church every Sunday morning and still be loving. We have FREE WILL. Be blessed in whatever you CHOOSE to do.

New Wineskins?

Published on July 23, 2011 in Daily Commentary. 0 Comments

Most, especially Christians, are familiar with the Biblical metaphor of old and new wineskins.

But, now some 2,000 years down the turnpike of life what does the metaphor say to us in the twenty first century? Are you an old wineskin or a new one? Have you thought about that at all? If you think you’ve advanced to the new wineskin level of consciousness, what’s that mean or what’s that look like anyway?

Are you being honest with yourself?

A change of underwear isn’t sufficient, nor is a new hair style. It’s not what outer changes you make but what is transformed within you. The Kingdom of God is WITHIN! What’s the vintage of the new wine, what’s the bouquet like, how soft are the tannins, and how does that last taste linger as you swallow.

Need a translation?

Are you full of anger, anxiety, and fear? Do you want an eye for an eye and an equal retribution for what was done to you, if not more? Or is your wineskin filled with forgiveness, mercy, and non violence regardless of the circumstance. You see, this new wineskin metaphor is more than just a cute and quaint saying.

It either has substance or your wineskin is just empty!

Just BE-Leave!

Published on July 22, 2011 in Daily Commentary. 0 Comments

Yes, you read that right!

More than once I have been told to BE (not in who I am or what IS) what I am told to BE. In other words, suck it up, whatever the question I might have, and go with the flow! When the flow is going downhill and into the proverbial gutter, I’m sorry, I just don’t want to pony up and go with the flow.

BELIEVE?

Yes, we all do, even atheists; however, that’s a personal decision and it’s a winding road. So, excuse me, and others, when we take a turn that you might not like because who knows where that road may lead: maybe even back to where we started. There are some cul-de-sacs in life and that’s okay!

What we don’t need is for someone else to tell us HOW and WHAT it is that we should BELIEVE (or leave), which coincidently is what that other person believes.

Do you know what I’m talking about? :-)