In the absence of a meaningful ontological mindset, we drift around aimlessly in MY STORY. Jean Houston said it this way, “When we do not have mythlogy, all we have left is pathology”. In our egoic pride and arrogance, we’ve majored on what we think we know: doctrine, laws, concepts, denominational drivel, and hermeneutical trivia ad nauseum. In our religious smugness we’ve described the veins in the leaf of a single tree, and not seen the tree it hangs from, much less the forest that engulfs it and us.
How’s your religion and belief system working for you (Dr. Phil)?
There are three stories within which we live and find meaning. Unfortunately too much of it is spent in MY STORY. It’s a story of egotism, hedonism, and nihilism. Dangerous ISMS to say the least. MY STORY is all about ME, my life, what I want, what I think I need. We get wrapped up in worring about what others THINK of ME, are people watching ME, approving, and affirming ME. I think we all recognize the devastation that such a lifestyle can bring, but are we honest enough to take a proper assessment of just how deep we are into that rabbit hole?
Things can get better or worse as we take life to the next level and move into OUR STORY! We all need relationships; however, they need to be balanced. Good things happen in the same groups that bad things happen in such groups as churches, corporations, and schools. Let a little bad MY STORY into the OUR STORY and you’re going deeper into that rabbit hole, only faster. We’ve all found oursleves dissatisfied with MY STORY and sought relief in OUR STORY: church, denomination, civic club, Los Angeles Dodgers fans, four wheeler clubs, country club members, and Irish-Americans.
Where do you find your significance?
We only find our complete self when we live life large in THE STORY! Our lives are lived out individually and corporately within the framework of the universe, the founder of all life, and the spirit realm. MY STORY and OUR STORY can only be successful when I am in communion and agreement with THE STORY. How much of our life is spent though trying to get a grasp on THE STORY?
Today, how much time (can you really objectively look at the percentage of time spent) will be spent in all three areas. If you’re honest, you’ll see why your life may not be going as well as you’d like. But one final caution, you can spend a lot of time in THE STORY (outside of self and group-itis) and still have it wrong. That’s just one reason we need each other- people on the journey, in love with Him and each other.
“Know thyself”, Plato said. Nothing bad about that unless you stop there.
Who’s helping you get a grip on THE STORY? The real one?
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