Every now and then I get a glimpse of where I AM by seeing where I HAVE BEEN. Have you been there and done that? Sitting, well actually laying on one of my six swings (yes, six) I heard the phrase, “The Tie That Binds“. What is that I asked myself and then I remembered the hymn that carried the two words in front, “Blessed Be“.
The old Christian hymn with lyrics by John Fawcett was written by Hans G. Nägeli.
The song says in parts, “The fellowship of kindred minds Is like to that above.” But, I’ve yet to experience that among most Christians. And, what I long to see among Christians and no Christians is the part of the lyrics that read, “We shall still be joined in heart, and hope to meet again. And perfect love and friendship reign, through all eternity.”
When I sang that song a long time ago, I had a different view of fellowship, joined in heart, and especially ETERNITY. For as I see it now, eternity isn’t something that comes at the END of my physical life. Eternity BEGAN before I even came to this physical temple I inhabit. While I had some visions of Jesus (the historical being) joining hearts and uniting people, it’s nothing as compared to the Cosmic Christ which is the “pattern that connects ALL.”
Religions and denominations don’t care too much for INCLUSIVITY, lest why else are there so many denominations within so many religions? 
Jesus and all other great religious leaders are SAGES from which we can glean much WISDOM! Gabriel Marcel, a French philosopher, a leading Christian existentialist wrote, “The true function of a sage is surely the function of linking together, of bringing into harmony, as the sage is truly connected to the universe.” That means bringing together ALL ethnicities, religious persuasions, and various philosophies.
Unfortunately most want to CONVERT those who are NOT to those like YOU who ARE!
Can we be okay with what someone else believes without reverting to the acts of Christian proselytizing? The divine “I AM” is in every person and every creature if we’ll but look deeply enough. For you see the “tie that binds” is the Christos that we ALL ARE, but to which we are seldom AWAKENED. And if you’re not a Christian or if the term Christos bothers you, substitute the word WISDOM, or the Eastern female version- SOPHIA. It’s the same principle.
Christos, the Cosmic Christ, Sophia, or just “unconditional LOVE” is the connecting pattern.
Are you CONNECTED?
Your spiritual evolution, at least philisophically, appears to be toward universalism – although I haven’t heard you call it that. (Or perhaps like the Baha’i faith?) Am I misinterpreting where you’re going? In any case,it’s intriguing. Alas, I confess I struggle with some of your ideas (many tenents of my faith I still hold dear)yet you notice I keep coming back…
Woody: I notice! Making a major paradigm shift in ones theological beliefs doesn’t come easily, nor without great pain.
Who knows what I am except an oxymoron and a paradox. I would admit this though. I am MORE of a universalist than
I am an arrogant and imperialist EXCLUSIVIST!
I agree Ernie with the last statement in your comment to Woody. Your inclusivity is what drew me to your site and community. Hope to be in Katy over Labor Day. What’s shakin’ at LRC that weekend?