A SEEKER'S JOURNEY TOWARDS SPIRITUAL TRUTH

HOW CAN WRITING HELP YOU ON YOUR SPIRITUAL PATH?

2014-06-05T21:14:00.003-04:00

There is more to the meaning of life than working, paying bills and waiting until we die. Certainly, family, friends and love are a fundamental aspects of a fulfilled life but I am confident there is more than meets the eye, to the reality around us, and thus I’m passionate about understanding reality and truth in a deeper way. Throughout my life I’ve read countless books, had thousands of hours of inspiring conversations, attended hundreds of seminars presented by brilliant and enlightening people but nothing has compared to the transformative effects of writing a public, spiritually related, blog and could be for you too.

While a spiritual paradigm is unique to each person, family and culture, the deeper questions such as “What is the meaning of life?”, “Where did we come from?”, “Where are we going?” and others have been debated and pondered since the dawn of mankind and will likely continue as long as there is someone to ask the simple question of why. These fundamental questions have inspired thousands of religions, philosophies and spiritual traditions that only highlights the psychological impact these questions have on us if they are left unanswered.

With so many different answers to the same questions, it is challenging to sort out what has foundations of truth and what is snake oil. Over the years, it has become apparent that the only way to learn what I sought, and still seek, to understand is to do so directly. Perhaps it is arrogant to presume it is possible but just as a mountain climber might say the reason he climbs a mountain is because it is there, and he/she can, I in turn feel the same way about exploring these questions. I do so because they are there, and one of the best parts of being human is that we have a unique ability to ask why.

For as long as I can recall I’ve been passionate about asking questions and would rather have a thousand unanswered questions than one wrong answer. While I never impose my views on anyone, this aspect of my personality does not always make people comfortable. Nevertheless, this is acceptable to me since only when we are uncomfortable do we begin to lift the veil of our delusions. All too often along my path I’ve discovered that everyone wants to give me their answers, and while often well meaning, is simply not what I am seeking.

With all of the books I’ve read, people I’ve talked to, shows I’ve watched, seminars I’ve attended and more it was clear that I learned to articulate esoteric concepts fluidly, and efficiently, but in reality these had been little more than philosophical platitudes. Surprisingly, with all of the ways I’ve explored these questions it was not until I started a public blog did I get some answers.

It was not any special realization that inspired me to write a blog, but I thought it couldn’t hurt to try and see what happened. Over time, I was able to move past the platitudes that previously limited my perspective and at this point it started to transform and deepen many of my thoughts and questions. It became apparent to me that all this time I was seeking answers when what I needed to find was better questions or in other words only asking questions that supported what I wanted to believe. It took time and persistence, but things began to evolve even more and deeper questions started to form that manifested insights that had been beyond my grasp beforehand and all of this due to a simple blog.

Welcome insights from various readers enriched the nature and tone of my thoughts and questions to the point that it started to change my personal paradigm in a permanent way. One transformative key was to read previously written entries and all too often I cringed at what I had thought had been an enormous insight the day or two before.

Writing has not simply been a means to express my thoughts, but most importantly a tool that has helped me to unlock my mind and free my thoughts. While I still have much further to go it has, without question, been nothing less than a catalyst for a huge paradigm shift and thus I have learned to love and appreciate it more every day. Blogging differed from other forms of writing since I felt accountable to my audience to share what could be complex ideas in a digestible way, and in-turn understood them better myself. Unexpectedly, it also turned into a way to connect with like-minded people that I would not have been able to do in any other way and certainly not in such a meaningful way. Blogging changed my life and depending upon the questions you seek it may have a positive impact upon you as well.

Time Will Tell Many Tales

2014-04-27T19:37:00.004-04:00

As time flows by in my life I've found the focus upon my spiritual journey appears to naturally wax and wane. Over the last few years life has offered some intense personal challenges and thus has dominated my focus and will likely continue to do so for some time going forward. I'm remarried, professionally working towards the best job opportunity I've had, going back to finish my degree (online) and soon enough will have a home again and children that I've not before had. By most measure this would be everything that anyone would want and while I'm not complaining I feel that I need to properly integrate into my world my spiritual focus.

Sounds easy right...? However, for some reason it has been a bigger challenge than I've anticipated. Years ago I was passionate and little more was important to me but time keeps ticking by and I my deepest dreams and desires feel like they are slipping away. Upon reflection though I feel the reason is a bit complex but also very simple and I'm hoping writing them here will help me sort out my thoughts and hopefully aid in integrating this critical aspect of myself into what I consider my new life.

I've explored many religions, philosophies and more in some depth and while there is always further to go on any subject I've come to a realization that pretty much everything we've ever been taught and told is basically bullshit. While this may seem self-defeating I don't really feel that way. The realization is the stripping of delusion that we know anything at all. No matter if we are talking about Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, New Age, Wicca, Atheism, politics in general, the news, media and pretty much everything I do except now as being all illusions and delusions. I've explored these things so deeply and feel like I'm done with all of it. In a sense I'm burnt out and almost disgusted by all the BS and seek something pure and real.

In many posts on this blog I've articulated in some depth about how and why I've made it to this point but all of this is still only a shadow of the full scope of what I've explored and pondered. I'm over all of it. So now what... I've actually been pondering a lot recently if I am an Atheist and in the end I may be an Atheist but I'm not sure this is a proper fit either. While many of the points of Atheism I completely agree with there is also a lot missing since there is no appearance of the wonder of life. No matter how much BS exists in the world I cannot dismiss the universe exists and that through the lens of life itself we offer the universe the opportunity to experience itself. Atheism focuses so much time and energy on religion (which someone needs to do) but there is so much more to what reality is composed of.

Science has been a huge spiritual path to awakening and I'm always amazed when people will disbelieve science and/or doubt it but have no trouble believing what, by any measure, are crazy beliefs because they 'feel' right. What is missing in science is the same thing that is missing in Atheism and that is the sense of wonder. No doubt some would disagree with me on this premise but without going into all the details I do feel this is the case.

Buddhism is still the most close path that I harmonize with and if pressed would say I am a Buddhist but have also seen that it is filled with a sea of religious baggage that has to have a diluting factor. Meditation is great and I've previously been obsessed with enlightenment, which I still do believe is real and achievable, but most of Buddhism has become a way to sell books, waste people's time with things like compassion. Yes! this is very important and well worth a focus but this is not the path to truth.

If anyone does read this and if anyone who reads it are familiar with half of what I've written would no doubt have excellent points to discuss, attack and/or offer insight but this is not meant to be an exhaustive overview of everything I feel to be true or BS. That would need many books and only feed the pointlessness I'm trying to avoid.

While writing all of this I have pondered that in reality I've still been on my path all of this time. I'm over all of it and have broken, shattered and/or cracked all of my beliefs and/or delusions (or so I believe) and I'm not sure what to do. Everything I read all sounds the same and appears to really just be little more than platitudes I loath and every teacher, I care to know, all teach the same things. Science has opened up some amazing perceptions but there is nothing new. Yes, as time goes on I learn more details and get more insights but it is all the same... I'm bored.

I need to ponder all of this some more and no doubt time will indeed tell many tales.

Limitations of Thoughts and Language on the Spiritual Path

2012-12-29T22:19:00.000-05:00

Our thoughts and the language we use to articulate them have distinct limits. If I was going to explain the experience of what salt tastes like to someone I would not be able to share it through words. No matter how many things I could say none of them would replace just a moment of experience by that person tasting the salt for themselves.

Building off of this for many years poetry frustrated me since I favor things that are black and white and poetry is anything but that. What I now see is that poetry is as close we can come to explain something as esoteric as an experience through the limitations of words. With all of that since everything we speak is a metaphor it will only create delusions and shadows of the truth. Whatever the truth may be it most certainly transcends our thoughts, sense of self and mind but yet all of those things are tools to achieve that understanding.

Ironic...

Science and Spirituality: Conflict or Allies in the Search for Truth?

2012-12-29T19:05:00.002-05:00

To me science without spirituality is hollow and spirituality without science is naive. Both are seeking to find the truth and have a great deal to teach each other but they will always be in conflict until all is known and there is no more mystery.

Science has discovered some amazing things that have powerful spiritual implications but their dogma will never allow them to step beyond the information and journey into the mystery in the same way a spiritual person would do.

In contrast a spiritual person who does not ground themselves into some scientific knowledge will spend their life chasing lightening bolts in the belief they are messages from god.

Both have their limitations but together their understanding does bring us closer to truth.

Does understanding how a rose is built from the atoms, chemicals, genes and more take away its beauty or enhance it? As with all things that are related to beauty that is up to you to define but I for one believe the more I know the more I stand in awe of the magick of life and reality.

REIGNITING THE FLAME

2012-10-28T13:18:00.000-04:00

There is truth in the saying that we are not humans having a spiritual experience but rather spiritual beings who are having a human experience. With this in mind it is safe to say the last few years have offered me a huge sea of human challenges that have greatly distracted me from my spiritual writing and study. While the flame has at times been smothered to an ember I've refused to let it die and believe now I can finally start to fan the flame and believe it will, once more, soon be a roaring flame.

One of the greatest and most important tasks that I have on my list of things to do is write a book, or series of books, and believe the time may well be now to manifest this without anymore excuses. While I know what I want to share will fall upon mostly deaf ears I do feel that what I want to share has value. In many ways my challenge has been that I want to put too much into one book and perhaps it would be more wise to spread things out so it will be more digestible.

Though life has offered its distractions at least I now have clarity on 'what' I want to write about and believe I also know what the title should be. "Breaking Free - Of the Myths that Bind Us"

So... now it is time to check this dream off of my bucket list and get to work!

HOW TO FREE YOUR MIND, LIMITATIONS & POTENTIAL

2012-03-13T20:15:00.000-04:00

It is said that there are few things bigger than the universe save for the human ego. While we've learned that the universe really does not circle the earth a long time ago with our collective belief of self-importance suggests that it might as well be. We have been, by far, the most successful known creature on earth that has ever lived by our collective efforts over time. However, there are limitations that we have as humans and understanding that we do is not accepting that we are 'less' in any way but rather gives us the ability to find ways to mitigate those limitations and truly maximize our true potential.

Certainly, a dog, cat, tree, etc all have limitations that we can plainly see but they may feel the same way about us. As an example a dogs sense of smell is vastly beyond our abilities and any cat I've ever met certainly seems to feel we have anything over them. They are perfectly adapted to their environments and so are we but if we have any one thing that gives us our true potential I would suggest it our ability for language that helps us articulate our thoughts and dreams. We've developed over our evolutionary history a very fine tuned ability to share concepts with each other and together be far more than what we could ever be alone. Our ability to ask questions seems to be the main source of our ability to expand our consciousness. However, language does have its limitations as proven by the fact that there are no amount of words that can really ever articulate an experience.

A metaphor that I like to use is that of trying to explain the taste of salt to someone who has never tasted it before. While we can come fairly close by using comparisons, examples and other like tools to help express this idea, even to the point that the person who has never tried it could then pass this information along as though they have experienced it, there really is not enough words you can use that would effectively replace just a simple moment of direct experience. Experience is an internal and intimate event that language most certainly has a way of helping us digest the experience but this tends to greatly filter the experience into what we expect it to be via our ego, presumptions, assumptions, biases, culture, spiritual views and all of the other filters.

Additionally, we can only experience reality through a narrow slit of perception. As we can only see a narrow band of light waves, sound waves and so on but with this narrow view we shape our world view. One can only wonder how that world view would alter if we have a different range of perception such as the ability to smell like our old friend the dog or see like an eagle. Certainly, there are things about reality and ourselves we could learn if were able to reach beyond the limitations of our senses.

These limitations are not much of a concern for most us no more than it is a concern for a dog or a cat with regards to their limitations. In many ways it is hard to know what you don't know unless you try to find a way to reach beyond and what differs us from the rest of the animal kingdom is our ability to wonder, to dream, to imagine things that are yet unborn. It is our window into what can be instead of what simply is.

Our paradigm of thought that we live in conditions us to accept reality as it is and many cultures even to suppress the pursuit of questions unless they exist within a well defined boundary. This has served us well depending upon the questions are you comfortable asking. However, if you seek to transcend our limitations we may very well need to find ways to reach well beyond the fold. I'm not so sure that we can do that with the knowledge that we gain from traditional sources alone nor with the senses that have empowered us, yet restrains us from growing beyond.

It may seem counter-intuitive but the ancient and perhaps profound saying of 'know thyself' may truly be the key. A key that requires us to look within where there are no boundaries, no physical limitations and only the potentially boundless realm of our inner mind and imagination. If only we can find ways to unlearn what we believe we know and shed our ego, expectations, assumptions, presumptions and what we expect to happen. What we discover could be far more amazing, bizarre and filled with wonder than what currently meets the eye.

The danger, and risk, of this type of journey is that the ego knows us rather well. To free our mind it would seem that we need to free ourselves from this and unlearn the conditioning that we have had since birth that can easily alter and distort our experience, realizations and it is wise to walk carefully. Ever more wise to find some sort of a guide, a spiritual Sherpa if you will, that can help you navigate the pitfalls, traps, dead ends and egoic fantasies of self-indulgence that would certainly be abundant upon such a journey. There are plenty of souls that would be more than willing to assist you in any such journey but keep in mind that the person with all the answers may be the person with the greatest delusion. No matter what path you take it is your journey and just like no one can be born for you, or die for you no one can walk this journey for you either.

To highlight, I'm not suggesting that this is the answer nor that I would be such a guide but perhaps this may something to ponder.

Peace

IS DREAM YOGA A PATH TO AWAKENING?

2011-10-26T20:53:00.001-04:00

Lucid dreaming: Is becoming consciously 'aware' that you are dreaming while you are dreaming and a rather interesting and honestly cool experience. Apparently, not everyone has had this type of experience with some people firmly believing it is not even possible or true.

When this realization comes over you a sense of unlimited power and being overwhelms you. This is a skill that can be learned and expanded much like a artist going to a school to become a better artist. However, in the end I wonder if it might also be that some people are born with more skills then others. I could spend my entire life learning to paint but never hold a candle to so many others who have a natural inclination to genius.

I have a theory that I intend on exploring in far more detail and would love to hear some other thoughts concerning it. Basically, to learn to wake up in lucid dreaming you must focus on, beforehand, on some object or key in the dream that your conscious mind can grab on to and be reminded to 'wake up'. Once you see that object it wakes you up within the dream but it takes a considerable amount of time and patience to make this work.

Based upon that concept I am really wondering about the same thing with our daily waking lives. If it is true that we are really asleep and awakening to the real nature of reality is the key then perhaps this might explain the stories of Zen monks hitting the students in some physical way to push them into enlightenment.

Ofcourse at the right time is key to this working but the same could be said during lucid dreaming. Might it be possible that the dream world may be a more direct path into the deeper sense of reality? Even more might it be possible to meditate upon a key that might 'wake you up' in this reality when discovered?

I need to learn a great deal more about this but I think the potential of this might be something profound.

Your thoughts are welcome

POKING BRICKS: A SEARCH FOR TRUTH!

2011-03-27T18:00:00.001-04:00

~ THIS WAS WRITTEN A FEW YEARS AGO NOW ~

Many years ago I had a teacher that was a fundamental part of my journey into spirituality and just recently, after several years, I've had the opportunity to have a discussion with him again, in person. I certainly hope to repeat this far more often as I'm impressed that he still has the ability to make me think more then anyone that I know. Perhaps, and likely, since he was key in helping me fan the spark within me that has finally become a true fire has given him a deeper insight into who I am and what I need to learn.

There are many things that I have been pondering since, the conversation. Ironically, it was not so much about the topic we discussed in the conversation but rather a reflection upon the past and its contrast to the present that has given me an insight into myself and how my spiritual world has changed. I thought I would share a part of it here.

HERE IT IS

Many years ago, when I was first awakening from the delusion of Christianity, I began to search in all kinds of directions to find something that had a 'better' answer than what I was being exposed to from Christian thought I had been exposed to. My friends and I began to read everything we could find on various types of metaphysical, philosophical and spiritual thoughts. The details are moot but we read everything we could find, we shared what we learned, experimented and so much more. It really was one of the best times of my life because everything seem possible and the world had not yet infected my mind.

It came a point though that we could go no further this way and as the saying goes 'when the student is ready the teacher will appear'. While I had some mildly influential teachers one stands out that I met, who prefers to be referred to as, 'anon' ended up manifesting many things into my paradigm of thought that had previously been well beyond my grasp. The details of who he is not important but sets the foundation for the rest of my story.

So, back then we often discussed the foundation and 'bricks of belief'. If you imagine a wall surround you that shelters you from real reality and built of bricks molded in beliefs you will be able to understand the metaphor and imagery. In other words beliefs are basically like a brick wall around you and he would always find a way to poke one brick of belief and then that brick would vanish. What I now see happened, when this occurred, is that I was hungry and determined to refill that empty space with something...anything. After all you can't have too many bricks taken out of your wall before it collapses completely which would seem terrifying for anyone.

At the time I really didn't care what it was that refilled this void and since he took the brick I expected him to replace it, which he would do, but when it happened it always ended up putting many others in jeopardy. In other words he would answer one question for me which caused many more questions to appear and it would jeopardized the other bricks/beliefs around it and this cycle continued on and on. That process is now a part of who I am and while I can now poke my own bricks I must say it has been an enlightening and insightful experience. Honestly, I think he enjoyed messing with my head; actually I know he did thus is why we affectioning referred to him as 'dick head'... (If you don't find this at all amusing I guess you had to be there)

I've also learned that we all have our 'golden bricks' that was by far the biggest pain for him and myself. The golden bricks are the beliefs that we hold the most dear. The beliefs that if touched may effect the entire wall and not just its neighbors. Sometimes they are hard to find as they may not be on the surface as most are very deep within the foundation of the wall and well protected. It is ironic that what we hold the most dear may also be what holds us back the most from our spiritual journey. Take a moment and ponder your own golden bricks, the beliefs that are at the core of who you are that if removed or touched in any way would shatter your world view. This blog is not meant to really explain the process as much as highlight there is a process to be understood and is easier said than done and even harder to actually explore. It is humbling to learn that these golden bricks are built upon, and surrounded by, a foundation of bricks/beliefs that are all an illusion.

Over the years I've come along way and reflecting upon what my previous wall looked like I am amazed in how things have changed. Before every brick seemed like gold but today, while a wall does remains, all the bricks are transparent and the golden bricks are having a far harder time to hide. Perhaps I may be the only one who can really appreciate this realization of the difference from before until now but I really have changed. I now know the wall is an illusion and treat it as such while before I felt the wall is all there was.

I've learned that to exist within this reality we depend upon a tapestry of beliefs to function. As if we had no beliefs at all we, as an example, would not work because you wouldn't believe in the next day to come, you wouldn't eat because you wouldn't believe that not eating would kill you. Likely you wouldn't do anything at all and while I do have my beliefs I also know that they are simply place holders of knowing and truth.

One day I seek to experience reality without anything coloring my view.

HOW DO CRYSTALS HEAL / WORK?

2011-03-23T00:21:00.003-04:00

Crystals are one of the most beautiful natural creations on earth and I for one love them very much for that natural beauty. It seems rather clear that they have been very popular with humans throughout time and it is only natural that myths, legends and more would develop as people wondered what could have produced something of such beauty. No doubt we've found some amazing uses for some crystals such as cutting with diamonds, radio wave communications with quartz crystals and many more such examples. However, there is a vast difference between myth, legend that the truth when it comes to the uses that crystals can offer us.

I've never been one for believing in anything without asking questions and have learned that the questions that people don't like to ask, or have asked, tend to be the most revealing. Crystals are most certainly one of these subjects since people have what appears to be an emotional relationship with their crystals even if it is the diamond ring on your finger. (Which are actually not rare at all but strictly controlled to inflate the price.)

There has been thousands of books written about the powers that crystals are supposed to have and I have some questions about these powers. It is commonly said that amethyst enhances psychic abilities, rose quartz has effects when it comes to love, many others effect healing and every crystal is said to have some sort of mystical influence upon us in some way. I will suggest a few thoughts on how this could be true but have serious doubts and remain confused why so many people are so willing to believe in just about anything without questioning much of anything.

Of the thousands of books written on the powers attributed to crystals obtain this information? Clearly, they likely come from previously written books, they they have read, but where did the previous authors get their information? I suspect that people who believe in the powers would suggest that they have personal experimental proof that they have relied upon but I'm not so convinced that this would prove anything beyond the power of the placebo effect since there has been no known study I am aware of and the lack of any empirical evidence does most certainly matter. The placebo effect, which is well understood, represents the power that belief has in something that increases its effectiveness and often factored in with any studies on pharmacological drugs as a key example.

I was, at one time in my life, very interested in the mystical powers of crystals and how they might actually work and did some research on how a rock could have any effect upon a human. The only connection I could find was that crystals and humans apparently have a similar basic elemental structure. With that knowledge and knowing that everything in nature vibrates at different unique frequencies that perhaps there is some sort of transfer of energy via a vibration. The vibrations I am speaking of are not the mystical kind noted within many new age texts that suggest that an endless higher vibration is better but testable actual vibrations that all objects of matter have within them. Everything in nature exists within some degree of harmony and if a crystal was going to heal anything it would need to help restore the proper vibration.

Now we know that every physical thing does vibrate in a particular frequency. Our universe has its own frequency, earth vibrates at I believe around 8 cycles per minute, each person vibrates at unique frequencies and so does a glass of water and so on. Taken further each organ within your body vibrates at slightly different frequencies which all become a part of your overall frequency that in many ways would be as unique to you as a finger print. So, it stands to reason that cancer cells would vibrate at a frequency of its own and if we could effect only that particular frequency we could alter it in a way that could possibly kill it or hopefully would not make it far worse.

How can we effect something like this and even more importantly know that we are effecting it in a positive way? It would seem far more likely that either doing nothing at all or making it worse would be more likely then making whatever ailment better. How would anyone learn how to do this and while I'm sure there are people who would suggest they know how I question if they do why they are not the most famous people on earth. If you could simply pass a crystal over someone, or use Reiki energy manipulation, to heal someone why would you not heal everyone or teach countless others how to do this? This is not happening and if you can do this and not sharing it how selfish would that really be. I don't think science is looking at this in any serious way but perhaps they should and even if they are or do wouldn't they realistically be even more effective then waving your hands over someone with or without a crystal in your hand?

If we imagine a crystal is like a musical tuning fork; a larger tuning fork will make the smaller one 'harmonize' with the larger, with a different but predictable frequency, that involve a level of physics that is over my head. So in one way to look at it the frequency of the earth does have a direct effect upon us but we have very little effect upon it. By earths size and dominance we are connected to it far more than it could be connected to us but there remains a fundamental connection. As a side note I've often wondered if you could truly harmonize with something else, lets say the earth, would you in some way feel what it feels? Might that be a key to telepathy if such a thing really does exist?

So, if a crystal was going to have any effect upon us it would either have to be much larger than us and at a very specific frequency which seems unlikely but in the realm of possibility. Perhaps it magnifies our intentions in some way which seems esoteric but interesting to me. What I mean by this is that I do not believe that any particular object in itself has any 'power' as nothing in our material world really seems to work this way it might be able, via its unique structure to magnify our thoughts and intentions. No one really knows what a thought is exactly, or where a thought exists, but if a thought really is a 'thing' and anything could magnify that thought, even in a very small degree, it would magnify that intention/thought dramatically and perhaps have some sort of esoteric effect. However, even if that theory has any merit there are so many variables and so little evidence that there has to be innate doubt with it but it seems like a possible way it could work.

Even if crystals have some innate power, or if they can be used to magnify intention without precise knowledge of how to use it there would be no value. It would be like handing a Ipod to a caveman and expecting them to do something with it. The pop culture books related on the subject of crystals are so obviously meant to be simply marketed that I wonder if there really is any value at all. The proof is in the fact there is no known super healer that would no doubt be amazingly famous. If we cannot decode this system now how would anyone have ever done it in ancient times? I think it is a fair question and glossing over it with some rationalized answers doesn't really convince me of the validity of this but I do think these ideas have merit and would love to know your thoughts on the subject.

In the end I do feel that the only power that these crystals can have is the power that you give it.

PROOF THAT WE ARE BORN CRAZY

2011-03-19T15:54:00.000-04:00

I've been reading this magazine that is explaining the different views on evolution and an interesting fact came to the surface. We have roughly only about 24,000 genes that make up everything that a human being is. Which is far less then even the most conservative estimates suggested. Every living thing, we know of, shares the same structures of DNA that we do and interestingly, we share 60% of those same exact genes with bananas.

Is there any wonder why we are all so crazy? Since it stands to reason we are born already 60% bananas the moment we are born.

MEANING OF LIFE: ARE WE THE WINDOW TO GOD'S / CREATOR'S SOUL?

2011-03-14T17:33:00.000-04:00

'Life' is no doubt one of the greatest mysteries with its cause and nature certainly one of the grandest of all questions. We can define life in many ways but there are some fundamental facets that we all agree are consistent with life as we know it. Such as life requires some basic biological functions and the ablility to reproduce itself in some manner. This is a grand over simplification of all of this but certainly the basics of life is something we are all familiar with.

The natural world allows for just about anything to exist but life is in many ways the most grand of absurdity. How in the universe could some random chemicals just start moving into order, countless eons ago, that would continue evolve into the level of complexity of the human brain and perhaps beyond? There are many faiths that suggest that the miracle of life was created by a supernatural being and while there is no proof that this did not happen there is less that it did. Either way, it is a wonder that we do know many things about but still have many questions to answer.

A thought that I have is that with everything in nature, save for life, things seems to be dominated by the second law of thermodynamics known as entropy. This is demonstrated when things that are in order naturally move from order to disorder and is a part of our natural world. An example of entropy is simply when you see a glass fall and shatter. That movement from the orderly structure of the glass into a broken glass is in a very simple sense entropy and again the second law of thermodynamics. Interestingly, life seems to be one of, if not the only, natural force that resists entropy by creating order into the highest magnitude of life, form and function that would not nor could otherwise exist.

When life is first created the level of resistance to entropy is very strong but we age, and all the things we create which is a by product of life ages, the entropic force starts to grow stronger and the force of life slips away. It is a constant balance and fight that exists in our world every day but not often thought about. No matter what level of care we give any product of life eventually entropy will overtake life. However, for a period of time our 'life force' gives us resistance and while this may be a spiritually based concept leaves some room for thought of what that 'life force' may be.

I see all life as an equal representation of that life force of which we are only a facet and not the reason for life. Many times it seems that when we ask about the meaning of life we really want to know the meaning of our life and personally I think this is a egoic perspective as we are likely not that special. Rather, I favor the question of what is life in general and why does life exist at all. Due to the much higher level of order we have within the human brain perhaps there is more life energy involved but 'special' just doesn't seem to be anything other then our way to feed our ego and our collective ego.

Another thought about life is that we are literally made of star dust, mostly created from ancient super nova stars, and within our bodies exists a fairly balanced percentage of elements as they exist within the universe. From Carbon being one of the more common elements to heavy elements such as iron (makes your blood red) in far more rare percentages. Additionally, our ego creates a sense of duality that makes us feel that we are some how separated from the physical world but we are a product of specifically the earth. In other words, and stealing a reference from Alan Watts, just as the apple tree apples the earth peoples. We are the offspring of life that is mother earth, which by many measures, is a life form of its own.

Also, being a life form created from the stuff of the universe, in many ways we are a product of the universe that has become 'self aware'. Through various forms of life it is like the universe is experiencing itself through our eyes, ears, other senses and also even our thoughts, dreams and our wonder of mysteries of existence. Building on that if there is a creator and a creative force that exists within the universe instead of the creator being 'out there' and us 'in here' perhaps all life are individual expressions of the creator attempting to experience its own creation through our eyes.

In many ways 'we' give the universe meaning by our observations, definitions and other ways we break things down into digestible aspects that our consciousness can absorb. After all imagine what the universe would look like without any life at all? It would have no beauty... no mystery... what would light be... or distance? Everything we know and understand about reality is in many ways the universe, through consciousness and life, attempting to more about itself.

It would be the ultimate Schrödinger's cat box experiment that is filled with an infinite degree of quantum potential but without life there would be nothing to observe it when it was opened and to thus collapse the wave function into something or nothing. The universe may well simply remain endlessly in a state of quantum potential and that may very well be the purpose of our existence.

Furthermore, your eyes may not only be just the window to your soul but perhaps the creators as well.

WHY SEARCH FOR TRUTH? A SEEKERS MIND

2011-03-12T23:12:00.004-05:00

For many people they are convinced that they have the truth and when this happens they tend to stop asking questions. I've found all too often that finding better questions leads to far deeper truths than settling for any answers and thus I will always favor having the right question vs the wrong answer. The more you ask questions the more you realize that the people with all the answers really have none yet will passionately suggest that they do. Furthermore, the questions that people generally avoid, don't want to talk about and/or are thought of as taboo tend to be the ones that offer the most value.

So... why bother troubling ourselves with seeking truth when in life we have so many other seemingly more important things to do? I would suggest that other than the need for food, water, shelter, love and companionship the rest is an illusion that we've been sold from birth. It is our paradigm of thought that life is about collecting things, having bigger toys, working for the government via taxes and banks via everything else. Do people today really feel happier with all of these toys? I doubt it as in the USA, who loves the toys, half of the country is on anti-depressant pills? There simply has to be more meaning to our world then what we've been sold. Instead of asking why we should ask these questions perhaps a better question to ask is simply 'why not' ask them.

We have this unique skill as humans to ask questions and that ability has created a sea of novel inventions that draw our attention ever more to the material world. However, while we may never know the real meaning of life, how we got here, where we are going and all the rest of the big questions but if we do not ask how can we ever hope to know? I love my journey, it give me strength and just as a mountain climber may respond to why they climb mountains my response to why I seek the truth is simply because it is there... because I can.

For most there is no value and regardless of whatever you believe within your world you will be born, live, love, laugh and die. It really does not matter unless within your heart beats that of what is known as a seeker. A seeker is someone who is passionate to discover the truth and not get trapped in the illusions of truth that more then enough people are willing to sell. However, they are selling someone they likely do not have and typically the louder and more convinced that they have all the answers the less likely they are to actually have them.

I seek the truth for my own reasons that may seem unclear to many but if I don't believe that I can make it to the 'top of the mountain' chances are I will never bother to attempt the climb. Does the search take away from the mystery and magick of life? I don't believe so, as for me it makes everything even more rich and wonderful. No doubt the more questions I ask the more answers surface and thus creating a sea of more questions. This is largely why I feel that my path is to ask all of the questions needed until the answers no longer matter.

No doubt the further I go the more difficult the journey has become. In many ways I feel like I'm falling into a controlled detachment of reality but since reality is apparently an illusion anyway I think perhaps I'm on the right path. I also feel that anyone suggesting that this journey is all about love and light and nothing more is selling something that they don't have. It is easy to learn the spiritual lingo/jargon but this does mean you are spiritual nor awakened but rather can show how you've obtained knowledge but the ability to know what do to do with that knowledge is far more challenging.

Letting go of the ego and searching the boundaries of your beliefs is really a powerful transformational experience and is a huge challenge that isn't for the weak of mind or heart but the rewards and insight that manifests from it is priceless. One thing I've learned is that I've spent too many years asking what reality and truth is externally from myself and now see that while I've been asking questions, they are the wrong questions. I could ask a billion questions within the external world and perhaps gain great wisdom but in the end still find myself still at the base of the mountain. I wonder how many people are stuck there themselves but unaware that there is even a journey to take since they've been sold an illusion that cannot be bought.

You may very well presume and firmly believe that you are awakened and/or enlightened to the truth but if you have not fully examined your beliefs you may at some point find yourself still at the base of the mountain, or perhaps somewhere half way up, but some day you may see that you are not where you thought you were and wonder how what you've done with all the time you've wasted. Perhaps not... most people don't but the more you examine your inner world, that is largely shaped by beliefs, the more the world will seem very different and the insights that come will reshape your world.

WHO WOULD YOU BE IF YOU BORN SOMEONE ELSE?

2011-03-12T22:20:00.001-05:00

Who would YOU be if...

... you were born the opposite sex?

... you were born in Africa?

... you were born less intelligent or more intelligent?

... you were born into a wealthy or very poor family?

... you went to or didn't go to college?

... you had a physical disability or did not have one?

... you were really tall or really short?

... you were born into an physically abuse filled family or not?

... you were born into a different religion, or no religion?

... you were born a 1,000 years ago or 1,000 years in the future?

... what if, what if, what if, what if, what if...

Would YOU not be someone else? Someone else with different beliefs, different ideas, a different self image and perhaps even a different sense of 'I". If so many variables can alter who YOU are then do they really define who YOU are at all?

Have you ever looked at a stranger and seen the world through their eyes? Is their 'I' really different then yours... might it be the same? Perhaps instead of the 'I' being the illusion it may just be that there is only 'I' but what seems like differences are conditions colored of the ego that manifests the 'I'. In other words perhaps there is no 'them' or 'they' but rather only 'I'. I AM

God's words to Moses: I am that I am

Pondering

WHY THE 2012 12-21-12 MAYAN PREDICTION IS NOT TRUE?

2011-03-12T21:55:00.002-05:00

There has been much talk about the Mayan calender ending at the end of 2012. Books, movies, experts and have flooded the market and there will be more with regards to this 2012 Mayan end of world prophecy. I am not convinced at all that this is true and will briefly explain why.

I've been to hundreds of psychic fairs and like events and this, as well as other popular topics, are marketed hard by everyone who desire to make a dollar off of this story. Just because something is spiritually based does not mean it is free from marketing manipulation and in many ways even more prone. How can there be so many experts on a subject like this and what happens to those experts when the world simply keeps moving forward past this infamous date?

I want to clarify one key issue. The Mayan's have never had an end of the world prophecy, nor do they now have an end of the world prophecy. They DO NOT have one. Even the present day Mayan's, which do exist, do not believe in this and yet the myth continues to flourish. Yes, the Mayan calendar ends December 21st, 2012 but there is no known reason as to why. It simply ends. It could be they just found that to be a good time to stop, the person making the calendar died, or perhaps they just got bored. No matter what it had to end at some point. We do not know why the Mayans ended this then but the rest that has been said is pure conjecture.

It is said that some planet alignment will cause this destruction but it has happened countless times before and nothing happened what would be different about this now? To cover if/when it does not happen they suggest it will be a spiritual transformation but that could be any day and there is no rational explanation as to why that day would differ than any other. There is simply nothing but people here attempting to make a quick buck off of the easily convinced.

There is nothing to debate, nothing to discuss on the issue at all... this is a myth and on 2012 12-21-12 the truth will be shown. We simply have many other things that can cause our destruction far before this becoming the cause. Lastly, while the Mayans were a ancient advanced civilization why is it assumed they knew anything we do not know now with all of our advanced science and technology.

Don't be duped by this story. Question! How anyone could possible be an expert on a prophecy. If you are faithful to this story I'm sorry to be so direct but there is just no vast mystery here and people are manipulating this story for the sake or prophecy. (Think Y2K)

CHRISTIANITY & QUESTIONS DO NOT MIX - PART 6

2011-03-12T17:20:00.002-05:00

Mother Theresa who really lived her faith and was one of the few examples of what it is to be Christian that I hold in a rather high regard. Mother Theresa helped whomever she could, regardless of their faith, in whatever way they needed. It didn't matter if they just needed simply compassion or to help them build their Muslim temple. She lived her faith and did not feel compelled to impose Gods judgement upon others and I respect her. Christianity has had many exceptional people, such as Mother Theresa, among their ranks but one must wonder if these people were exceptional because they were Christian or if they would have been exceptional regardless of whatever religion they happened to be.

Now one of my favorite biblical characters is Moses as he is without doubt a pretty cool biblical bad ass. Moses knew all sorts of things he shouldn't have, talked directly to God and was given the ten commandments, split the red sea and a host of other really cool things. Honestly, he certainly gives Jesus himself a run for his money on special skills. However, even all the things that Moses was attributed to have done has been shown how could have been the result of completely natural acts. We still know too little to suppose that anything is possible or not but if you imagine these stories at the time and having been passed down from many generations before they were put on paper doesn't is stand to reason that some of them would be sensationalized? All of the ancient bible stories were told all over the place and had various versions and many with more details. How do we know we have the right ones and how can we be certain that they have not been sensationalized. Sure... this could be said to be the purpose of faith but it runs dangerously close to becoming blind faith. Either way Moses... your the man!

During the time of Jesus, if what is said to be true of him walking on water, turning water into wine, healing the sick and of course the supposed resurrection it wouldn't take much faith to believe that there was something very special going on here. However, if done today all of this would have to be reexamined since there have been many illusionists (magic) that have preformed all of these things with the same degree of wonder. I suspect Jesus would have to seriously step up his game to impress us now. Honestly, if the people back there needed such things to convince them of this powers why is it so unreasonable to expect more than simply faith now to believe. Particularly when there are so many questions riddled within the bible for people who dare ask those questions.

Science has proven that nearly everything in the bible could happen naturally, and in many ways that it couldn't have happen the way the bible presented. Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence and in the end there is simply no evidence that the earth was created in six days, that Noah's Arc ever existed, that the tower of babble was the reason we all speak different languages, that the world even could have ever had a world wide flood and the rest. How can you look at this and not have questions if any of this is true and if this isn't true what else may not be true? People have come up with some amazing rationals to explain all of this but the only people they convince with this is the people who want to believe it in the first place.

Clearly the earth is far older then the 5,000 years, or so, the bible suggests, there are literal mountains of evidence to support that we evolved from common ancestors, we know that we really are not the center of the universe and so many other things that really are crazy to debate. I'm not sure how the people who really do believe the bible literally and defend things such as creationism know what they sound like to people who simply and directly know better. Once more extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence and instead accepting what we've learned, and can be tested, from biology, astronomy, geology, physics and all the rest these people would rather me believe that magic created it all. Magic, I cannot see, makes no sense in how the world works around us and should I also forget the earth is round as well?

Christianity has built its temples in the clouds and the clouds are drifting away. How can anyone not have real questions about all of this and just believe anyway... I really don't get it.

CHRISTIANITY & QUESTIONS DO NOT MIX - PART 1
CHRISTIANITY & QUESTIONS DO NOT MIX - PART 2
CHRISTIANITY & QUESTIONS DO NOT MIX - PART 3
CHRISTIANITY & QUESTIONS DO NOT MIX - PART 4
CHRISTIANITY & QUESTIONS DO NOT MIX - PART 5
CURRENT: CHRISTIANITY & QUESTIONS DO NOT MIX - PART 6

CHRISTIANITY & QUESTIONS DO NOT MIX - PART 5

2011-03-12T16:22:00.001-05:00

Satan is said, within the bible, to be able can come as an angel of light. No doubt this would be a rather compelling lie and possible if it is true, as is also said, that he is the master of lies very possible according to biblical concepts. Certainly, if this is true and he is the master of lies he could lie to you well enough for you to believe him? I would suppose the counter argument would simply be that God's grace would shield and/or protect you. However, something to consider is how many times have a friend or a loved one lied to you and you believed them? Where was your gut feeling and/or God at this time? It would stand to reason that any real manipulation by a being like Satan wouldn't be in a form that would be easy to see coming. Personally, I think that people give way too much credit to their gut feelings as it is way to easy to remember the times you were right and ignore the times when it was wrong.

Many of the words in the bible are said to have been inspired by angels of light. How much more effective of a lie could it be if some, or even many, of the words within the bible actually are from the so called Master of Lies. The bible does have a great deal to say about love, compassion and the positive aspects of life but how can we turn a blind eye to the negative aspects. Consider the words of hate, morally questionable acts, contradictions, impossibilities, justifications for torture, murder, rape, slavery, bigotry and so much more that are unarguably woven within the words of the bible. As controversial as it would no doubt be and given that the bible was supposed to be written by the influences of angels of light it stands to reason that there may be something to think about here. Some might suggest that God would never let this happen but within the bible there are several stories, such as the story of Job, in which God and Satan played games with the people and see how far they could push them. Might this be something to think about?

Another thought is why would eating the metaphorical apple from the tree of knowledge, in the Garden of Eden, be a road to damnation? Not only for Adam and Eve but ALL decedents seems a bit harsh. Besides didn't God already know what would happen beforehand? I'm far from a God but even I would know better and as an example if I decided to leave a steak in front of a dog, tell him not to touch it while I leave, and when I come home be so angry as to punish not only the dog, for what I knew would happen, but then also all of my dogs decedents. Certainly God knew what would happen and also why would Adam and Eve expect such a harsh punishment. They had no idea what punishment was and to them God wasn't 'God' but simply dad so the entire story seems rather odd. You have to imagine what was God hiding and why?

Now do you really believe in a God that, if you don't worship him properly or step out of line even slightly, will send you to hell with no chance of salvation... ever? How could you really ever do anything to a God that could possibly offend him? Even if you could how can you imagine a God that would be so cold as to banish you to hell for eternity, once more with no chance of salvation. Is that really the sort of God that can also claim to be filled with infinite love and compassion? Wouldn't a God of such nature always give you a way out of such torture by forgiving you at any point in time? Why would it only be during the time we live in this moral body? It doesn't make sense and why would God demand worship and threaten eternal damnation? Would Christianity even exist without the threat of hell and damnation? I have long since moved on from Christianity as well as the fear and guilt that is a fundamental part of it but I just don't understand why these types of questions don't trouble more people.

I know that Jesus is said to have died on the cross for your sins and through him all can be forgiven. I know this may be a bit taboo to bring up but does this really make sense. How can a person who has not sworn their faith to Jesus automatically burn in hell forever and yet a person who has lived a evil life that takes Jesus in their heart a moment before death go to heaven? I'm sorry but this seems just absurd and I just can't believe that reality and any God would feel that this is acceptable. Further, why is is that anything good in life is credited to be God's grace and anything bad is the work of Satan. When and where should we simply take responsibility for our own actions, good or bad, and be held accountable for who we are, and our own actions, instead of playing this game?

CHRISTIANITY & QUESTIONS DO NOT MIX - PART 1

CHRISTIANITY & QUESTIONS DO NOT MIX - PART 2

CHRISTIANITY & QUESTIONS DO NOT MIX - PART 3

CHRISTIANITY & QUESTIONS DO NOT MIX - PART 4

CURRENT: CHRISTIANITY & QUESTIONS DO NOT MIX - PART 5

CHRISTIANITY & QUESTIONS DO NOT MIX - PART 4

2011-03-12T02:05:00.004-05:00

The roots of Christianity's oldest stories, such as Noah's arc or Adam and Eve, are found in various texts around the world, often with much more details and far more ancient. Much of what is written is mythologically based to explain the beginning of everything. While this type of magical thinking was well suited for a couple thousand years many of these questions have been re-explored and far more rational answers have been found. While there remains many more questions to be answered it does not devalue the wealth of evidence that science has brought us. The same science behind what is giving you the ability to read these words is the same that does agree with the magical thinking required to believe the old mythologies within the bible.

Again, this does not mean that the bible has no value or should be dismissed but supports my contention that when a religion is born that the truth dies. By suggesting that the bible is perfect in every way by so many, when is clearly and obviously is not, and yet requires blind faith is not a living religion. It is dead.

It would seem that the only thing in nature that is ever constant is change. The bible cannot change, grow, evolve and adapt to the needs of the people of the present time. As a simple example the reason Jesus spoke of the the Shepard's and the Lambs in various references is because he was speaking to Shepard's. Who also mostly could not read, had a very limited world view and while he apparently had a profound effect upon them at that time would Jesus be so well received today? After all he looks like and in many ways acted like a hippie. We all know how much the fundamentalists love long haired hippies... right? Further, if he didn't say exactly what they wanted to hear would they reject him? Would they require him to do some magic to convince them? Lastly, if I was Jesus I'm not so sure I would want to be around a bunch of people who wore the cross on my neck to remind me of the pain and suffering I endured. I know the purpose of the symbol but if you think about it doesn't it seem a bit dark? In todays age if he was executed would people be wearing a syringe or a electric chair? Dunno... just a thought.

So lets go a little deeper.

Much of the bible requires faith but faith in something that we cannot ever REALLY know if it is true. It gives a representation of the truth of reality that is greatly similar to the stories we find within the ancient Greeks and Romans belief systems but few see the similarity. I think it is a worthwhile note that they were just as passionate and convinced about their gods and the stories around them as people are with Christianity today.

If anyone has managed to read this far you likely either think I am some spawn of hell, fairly rational or simply crazy. Likely a mix of it all but why can't we compare these beliefs systems or any beliefs? Why can't we ask any type of question? If we don't ask how can we ever learn or ever grow? I don't think I've been disrespectful in any way with my words but depending upon your religious view no doubt will color the meaning and value of what I am saying. I am simply a seeker of truth and have left the Christian guilt far in my past, have no more fear of hell and have made my peace with the creator and Jesus on a personal level.

I feel, like most religions various bits of truth lie within them all but the level of discernment to filter through it all can be a bit overwhelming. For so many, it is easy to find something that is 'good enough' for them when seeking to understand the world around them. Many people don't take the time to really seek the truth and ask questions. Again this is a personal prerogative and people have different priorities but I just can't understand why people feel so passionate about their beliefs and more so feel that imposing them upon others when they know so little about the religion they hold dear. I don't think they understand how that looks to someone who is not as emotionally invested as they are.

Religion is a wonderful gift to the ego to ensure it will survive since people find something they say 'is the truth' and they are done and more so they are special. The search is over and no more questions are needed... it must be nice and I almost envy such a perspective. I don't but it would be nice to have that sort of peace but I don't know how to un-know what I know.

If you had never heard of Christianity and was exposed to it for the first time from an outside perspective it would seem totally strange. In the western world concepts of Hinduism and the multi gods seems very odd indeed. However, if you were raised in that culture it would seem as right as rain. When we are raised in a culture and belief system all that influence at an early age has a powerful impact upon us. It certainly did with me and it took a great deal to break free from the guilt and doubts that had me shackled with Christianity. It is not enough to simply love, or be loved, by God but we must also fear him even though he has set the rules in direct opposition of the human nature, that he supposedly instilled upon us and if we step out of line we will burn in hell!

CHRISTIANITY & QUESTIONS DO NOT MIX - PART 1
CHRISTIANITY & QUESTIONS DO NOT MIX - PART 2
CHRISTIANITY & QUESTIONS DO NOT MIX - PART 3
CURRENT: CHRISTIANITY & QUESTIONS DO NOT MIX - PART 4
NEXT: CHRISTIANITY & QUESTIONS DO NOT MIX - PART 5

CHRISTIANITY & QUESTIONS DO NOT MIX - PART 3

2011-03-12T00:51:00.003-05:00

There are various types of questions that can be asked about Christianity and if you stick to questions that are within the bounds of the the bible itself you'll get a mix of responses. Usually, the responses with the aid of the internet are almost automatic and canned but a response nonetheless. If are happy with settling for these types of answers all is fine. However, debating the details of how Cain was banished to the land of Nod and took a wife when there was no other women on earth, or why it is alright for God to kill the first born of every family at his whim or why selling your daughter into prostitution is alright with God is intellectually amusing it side steps a huge range of questions.

Questions such as the validity of the bible all together, who wrote it, what influences were the people under at the time who put it together, why there are so many missing books of the bible (Apocrypha), why does the Pope have the only access to many of these books, why the well believed story of the Rapture not actually a part of the bible yet taught as though it is and the list goes on and on. These questions for the faithful tend to be beyond the range of what are acceptable questions and even taboo. All to often these types of questions are addressed with using the bible itself as the source to answer them. Once more this may be acceptable to those who already believe and/or need to believe but for others who are asking deeper questions this just doesn't cut it.

Ironically, even if the bible is not perfect, was written by humans with questionable intentions and the rest doesn't devalue the bible and the wisdom contained within it. However, the more people have tried to convince me (really themselves) that the bible is perfect the more discredited it all becomes. Personally, if the bible was the actual word of God I would think it would be written like an epic poem that was literally perfect in it logic, meaning, purpose and everything. If God wanted us to believe without question why would he simply not do a better job. Why do we know so little about Jesus's life, his teachings and why is the bible once more not the most amazing epic poem ever written? Instead we have a book that nearly impossible to relate to and filled with a sea of obvious inconsistencies, impossibilities, morally questionable acts, threats of eternal hell and all the rest? Why?

So if you have a discussion with someone of the faithful and talk about the foundations and sources of Christianity and ask that instead of simply using random, out of context, verses of the bible to really dodge the questions many just don't know how to respond. Once more I'm not trying to pick on anyone per say as much as I'm trying to discover why questions are so fearful to Christian's? Why does the bible need to be literal in certain parts and metaphorical, such as often said to be in Revelation, and not just simply a historical spiritual document that can be questioned. At this point I've had it noted several times that the end of the bible has a note that nothing can be added or taken away as it would be a violation with harsh punishments. This is used to suggest it has to be true but come on now couldn't anyone, even a human, put such a statement in there to say this?

Lets explore some questions.

CHRISTIANITY & QUESTIONS DO NOT MIX - PART 1
CHRISTIANITY & QUESTIONS DO NOT MIX - PART 2
CURRENT: CHRISTIANITY & QUESTIONS DO NOT MIX - PART 3
NEXT: CHRISTIANITY & QUESTIONS DO NOT MIX - PART 4

CHRISTIANITY & QUESTIONS DO NOT MIX - PART 2

2011-03-12T00:07:00.007-05:00

Questions about the bible are plentiful and I've had intense debates and discussions with so many people about all of this that I've long lost count. Rarely are any of the literal hundreds of questions of the bible and contradictions of the bible ever addressed. Rather, the supposed answers are a huge stretch, require a vast degree of faith and are hugely debatable. All too often the faithful will take these types of answers and run with them since they offer an answer and it closes the question regardless if it is a real answer or not. This is a clear example of settling for good enough answers vs seeking the proper questions.

I don't want to get lost into the details of what all the issues are but they are plentiful and while many Christians will admit to some, such as the clear impossibility of two of every animal fitting on Noah's Arc, they will often overlook this and all too often with a typical response of 'God works in mysterious ways' or something of that nature. For the people who are passionate about the bible being totally perfect they will create a very twisted form of logic to make even the most contradictory statements, morally questionable acts or whatever into something they can hold on to. Now in all seriousness this is not so bad as people should allowed to feel and believe whatever they desire. However, as we all know Christianity isn't so good at being happy with that alone and often feel compelled to impose their beliefs, morals, values and the rest upon others. Even that isn't so bad save for the key issue that questions are not encouraged but rather greatly discouraged.

I'm the type of person that thrives on questions and have studied the bible extensively, have read it several times and many parts countless times. As a side note I am shocked how many people speak so loudly and confidently of the validity of the bible but have yet to actually read it. If you really believe that the bible is the direct word of God that you live by and cherish how can you rationalize not actually reading it and yet read from it in a pious manner? Further, I so wish that the chapters and verses were never put into the bible as it has encouraged people to take bits and pieces of the bible from random texts and create whatever meaning they desire. If there were no such thing as these chapters and verses people would then be far more inclined to have to actually read the entire story and ponder its complete meaning. There is tremendous wisdom and value within the bible but when it is torn up as is often done to make some various out of context point seems to me to be a blasphemy of its own.

In my journey into the Christian world I poured my heart and soul into it and did not take a superficial effort. As questions naturally developed and I asked I noticed that the questions were unwelcome, glossed over and openly and subtly discouraged. Apparently, for many this works well enough but for me it only spawned deeper questions as to what it seemed they were hiding. Thus why I passionately took a journey to seek the answer on my own. In my questions and debates I've also encountered many that didn't have an answer and suggested that they needed to consult their priest or pastor to find out what they believe... in those words. I found this and still do repulsive. Why in the world does anyone need to consult another person to find out what they believe. Honestly the thought alone of this is like finger nails on a chalk board. If you don't have enough knowledge and conviction to know what you believe how can you suggest that you have any answers for me. So then I simply asked if I could talk to that person and when I did the answers were far less then impressive to be very honest. Usually, there was a charismatic and some superficial answer that no doubt was well received by many before but did nothing for me.

CHRISTIANITY & QUESTIONS DO NOT MIX - PART 1

CURRENT: CHRISTIANITY & QUESTIONS DO NOT MIX - PART 2

NEXT: CHRISTIANITY & QUESTIONS DO NOT MIX - PART 3

CHRISTIANITY & QUESTIONS DO NOT MIX - PART 1

2011-03-11T23:29:00.008-05:00

Christianity has an ancient and honestly amazing history filled with love, light, hope, wisdom and many other virtues but most certainly has some issues that many people do have a growing trouble with but a taboo within Christianity is simply asking questions. While I am sure there are many people that would disagree with my thoughts on this the reality is that if you ask a question that lies within certain limits you are fine. However, if you step beyond those questions the reaction ranges from indifference, avoidance to various degrees of hostility which is counter to my understanding of the true nature of Christianity.

Christianity requires a great deal of faith to maintain the beliefs that are at the core of the religion since as time as gone on science, other philosophical ideas and so much more have chipped away at the numbers of Christians who are of the traditional sort. Many are faithful and believe but many more have swung to a more fundamental and almost radical direction to hold on to their beliefs despite the continuing questions raised by science, with all due respect logic and other philosophical concepts that harmonize with more and more people.

There is one thing that Christianity really does not like and that is questions which has been proven throughout time and present practice. For many centuries simply asking what would be considered a heathen question about Christianity could be, and often was, repaid in death. It wasn't bad enough that you would be banished to burn into hell for disobeying God, in any way, there have been many cultures that have taken the name of God in the process of the belief they are doing Gods work and speed up the process. I often have wondered what Christianity would do if there was no Satan or hell to use as a threat. Would people still follow the lord with as much passion if there was no fear or guilt if they did not?

The closer that any religion and belief system comes to an end the louder and more dramatic the dedicated must be to hold on to there personal faith based beliefs. As people are getting better educated and science is disproving much of what has been Christian dogma the weaker the religion has become. The response by the Christian leaders has been a more radical and entertaining form of Christianity but this seems to be more of masking the problems that Christianity has to face and has been facing. As an example Creationism has not even touched upon making a meaningful counter argument to Evolution and tends to prove to the rational minded more and more that Christianity is stretching so hard to be relevant that it loses ever more credibility. Now if you have some sort of emotional attachment to Creationism no doubt you'll disagree with me. However, in the end suggesting that Evolution is not true in favor of everything being created by magic just proves a serious misunderstanding of the concepts and illustrates my point even more.

CURRENT: CHRISTIANITY & QUESTIONS DO NOT MIX - PART 1
NEXT CHRISTIANITY & QUESTIONS DO NOT MIX - PART 2

QUESTIONS OF THE VALIDITY OF ASTROLOGY

2011-03-10T23:04:00.004-05:00

Psychologically there is some compelling evidence, while not conclusive, that we are effected by the moon in various ways which seems reasonable since, just as the earth, we are about 75% water and our brains are roughly about 90% water. The ocean tides rise and fall is directly related to the gravitational pull from the moon, particularly the full moon. During the full moon mental hospitals and police stations around the world typically increase their staff as there is something about the full moon that has a powerful effect upon is. There is some suggestion that this effect could just simply be the brighter light at night that encourages us to be outside more at this time period. The moon is about 250,000 miles away and about the 1/4th the size of earth and its effects upon us seem evident.

Other celestial bodies on one level may seem like they would have an influence on us but the distances to them are vastly further away. An example is that while the moon is 250k miles away then next closest plant Mercury is over 77 million miles away. The gravitational effect the moon has on us being so close may have a subtle effect but what sort of an effect would any other celestial objects have upon us as suggested in Astrology? Additionally, there is just no evidence to support this via science at all which is something to be considered as well.

Even when the planets are supposed to have their greatest effect upon us such as when they all align nothing has occurred which has happened many times in our history. Once as a child I recall this happening and the world was supposed to end and it was a very normal day. Science has never measured any physical effects and it just makes me wonder if Astrology has any merit how and why would the positions of the planets have any meaning to us let alone have anything to do with predicting our future.

Before the science of astronomy, that did grow from astrology, all of this was thought to be movements from the gods or God depending upon the time and culture it was observed. We've learned so much since then but yet we love to cling to the belief that somehow the planets have an effect upon us and by every measure this has to be a myth.

Granted, when I read my horoscope and I read the nature of a Virgo I connect usually rather well with the report as a general personality trait which is interesting. However, there is no explanation that I've read that makes any sense as to how and why this happens. The daily horoscopes tend to be all different which does not make sense if astrology is a science of any kind and the predictions are generally so vague that they can apply to nearly anyone.

We identify ourselves with our horoscope and many people believe in it passionately. However, the 'how' does astrology work nor the issues of the inconsistencies and vague predictions come to become a part of the conversation. Typically, the modern version of the horoscope has 12 signs, which is what we are used to, but a few months ago the original 13 month version was popped into modern culture. It mixed up the signs and added a new sign. I went to sleep a Virgo but woke up a Leo. Interestingly the characteristics of a Leo also seemed to apply to me rather well and so did the horoscope. The interesting thing is that people didn't like this at all as part of how they defined themselves and perhaps others around them was turned upside down and most simply rejected this outright, even though it is the original format. You cannot ever underestimate the power that a belief people want to hold on to and what happens when that is challenged.

Now lets say that astrology is true and mapping the planets with our birth place and time all does have some effect upon us. The next question is how would anyone know how to interpret this into anything meaningful? Most books are based upon previous books that are based upon previous books that are based upon previous books and so on. If we cannot see any effect, nor predict any effect, upon us with todays vastly superior science how and why would we need to believe that some ancient people knew more than we do now? Seriously, how could anyone know this information? Furthermore, the answers are not always correct, typically vague and hardly ever agree with other readings. It simply doesn't make much sense but it is a very marketable thing that many people make money off of and it seems that people enjoy any feeling of control in their lives.

Astrology is presented as a science but it is not at all by any measure that I've seen. I would love to be proven wrong on all of this but it seems that no one who is passionate about this even wants to ask these questions and they DO matter. Especially, considering people many times shape their lives around what an astrologer and a horoscope might suggest.

One thought that I do have that may support the claims, but is still a stretch, is that I'm not so sure that the moment of birth, which is commonly accepted as fundamental is the key to how this would work. Rather, the very moment of conception when we are nothing but a single cell, aka zygote, would be the most important moment if the planets were going to have any meaningful effect. Now of course that would be vastly harder to do a chart on but perhaps something to think about.

This universe offers us vastly more than what meets the eye and science does not have all the answers but we must demand a higher standard of questions for any search for truth. Right? For many astrology is a sacred cow that any such questions, as I've asked, causes a negative reaction but I hope that I do not come across as just being negative as my intentions are to simply ask questions. If there is something you know of that would expand my knowledge on these issues I would love to learn more.

45 QUESTIONS TO MAKE YOU THINK

2011-03-10T01:36:00.005-05:00

1. If you did not know how old you are how old would you be?

2. Why is the more you own the more it owns you?

3. If you want something you've never had you must be willing to
do something you've never done.

4. What would the future you tell the you in the present?

5. Genius: Thinking something that no one has ever thought before.

6. Genius: Applying that thought!

7. Is it better to wonder what if or to regret what was?

8. Do you want something you've never had? Then you must be willing to
do something you've never done.

9. Who were YOU before your father/mother was born?

10. What beliefs might you hold dear if you were born in another religion
and culture?

11. If you could live anywhere in the world where would you live? Why are you
not there?

12. How many times will you say I'll do it next time before you actually do it?

13. What if everything you believe in is actually wrong?

14. What if there is no meaning to life?

15. Why can't we judge a book by its cover? That is what the cover is for.

16. Why do we exist?

17. Have you actually ever met a normal person?

18. Your thoughts make up who you are so what if you had different
thoughts?

19. Why does the best things in life show up when you stop looking for them?

20. What would it be like if you aged backwards?

21. How far must you go east before it is west?

22. Why is the journey more important than the destination?

23. Why do religions based on love start so many wars?

24. What would Christianity be like if there was no Satan or Hell?

25. What makes you... YOU?

26. Will you be remembered a thousand years from now?

27. How long will it take for you to forget everything about this day?

28. Have you talked to your inner child recently?

29. Why can't we make a perfect circle?

30. Why does anyone care of Humpty had a great fall?

31. What if aliens really do exist?

32. What would it be like if no one could cry?

33. What if C.A.T. really did spell Dog?

34. How would the world be different if we didn't need to sleep?

35. Would you want to live forever? What if you had no choice?

36. Why would you want to be on a non stop flight?

37. Why do we enjoy killing time? What did it do?

38. How would your sense of self change if you never saw your reflection?

39. Why is world peace a dream?

40. What would you do for a living if you were born 500 years ago?

41. What might you do for a living 500 years from now?

42. Why do men forget everything and women remember everything?

43. What would the world be like today if we never had oil?

44. Why is it that sometimes when the power goes out are the best times
in our life?

45. Why do we exist?

ZERO IS NOTHING: A NEW IDEA AND GENIUS

2011-03-08T19:27:00.006-05:00

Did you know that the concept of Zero is a new one?

why is this significant? Much of our advanced computer systems, mathematical systems and the modern world in general wouldn't exist without without the simple zero. As binary code used in computer software, is built upon is a chain of zeros and ones to create pretty much everything from what you seeing now on your computer to pretty much every digital product you use every day.

It is believed that zero is believed to only have really been pondered within the 9th century somewhere in India. Beforehand, various cultures used numerical tricks to represent nothing but it was outside the human consciousness, for the most part, until then. Many cultures, some even today, only had terms for some and many. It took several hundred years for it to be more universally accepted but of course the history of a concept such as zero is certainly hard to trace. Nevertheless, it seems hard to imagine what you would do to write the number 10, 100 and so on without the humble zero to use as a placeholder.

So why did this concept take so long to become a part of our collective consciousness?

Any other number that we have represents a thing but zero represents nothing which mathematically just didn't make any sense. The inclusion of zero broke open the world into a level of strangeness as while numbers are very empirical by their very nature. If you have three things there is little question or debate upon the subject however with the inclusion of zero, which is over my head in the details, just turned the world up side down for them. They had to accept that 'nothing' was some how a valid concept just as much as the number three which was shaping the world. Entire books have been written about zero only such as Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea which is a cool book about it.

Much of what we understand is determined by our capacity to understand a new concept. What is interesting is that once the concept is understood by anyone then it easy [ or easier ] to express the idea to the collective conscious of humanity which seems the root of genius. Even the concept of the assembly line that transformed the world, which seems obvious now, is a new concept as well and there are countless other such things that have shaped the paradigm we presently live within.

It would seem that when anyone has absorbs a new concept into their consciousness and find a way to share that with others that it can have intense and powerful impacts upon the collective consciousness of us all. My thought process with this is to wonder what else is beyond our current comprehension now that will one day be 'normal' and commonplace.

It would seem that true genius has not been how much knowledge you can obtain but the ability to have an idea, more so an applied idea, that no one has ever thought of before.

HOW OUR THOUGHTS SHAPE OUR REALITY, ARE MANIPULATED & AN AGENT OF CHANGE.

2011-03-07T00:43:00.005-05:00

Everyday we are afforded the opportunity to undo, redo and redefine all of who and what we are. The simple reason is that the past only has the weight we give it and the future is still yet undefined. The only moment that any change can ever occur is the present and as always that moment is 'now'. No matter what trials and tribulations we carry with us, that can act like an anchor, it truly has no tangible value. It cannot be touched, relived or ever revisited yet in so many ways it is what we use as the foundation for who and what we are today and what we desire to become in the future.

In so many ways what we are today is a reflection of all the thoughts, emotions and ideas we've ever had. If your inner world is filled with negative thoughts and emotions the more negative things are naturally attracted to you. You create a filter that colors even positive events in a negative light and in so many ways you get what you expect. An example of this I've seen first hand with my experience within the retail world when I've encountered customers that invariably had some sort of issue. The people that tend to be sour and bitter seem to attract problems that would otherwise not typically happen to any one else.

Sometimes things do happen to more positively minded people but generally the situation resolves itself in a more positive manner. As mentioned life isn't always fair and unfortunate things do happen to us all but how we react to those things is only controlled from within and that does seem to be projected out into the universe and then reflected back to you. In some simple ways this touches on karma which many people believe that what you send out comes back to you ten fold. However, this does not seem to connect with my experience with nature in that everything seems to work with harmonies and balance. My thought is that it just feels like it is ten times more intense when whatever happens to you.

This goes far more deeply than just being positive or negative but our thoughts, ideas, emotions and more really do shape who and what we are. If you could have given yourself advice half a lifetime ago what would you have told yourself and where would you be today had you listened? If you ponder that then what might the future you tell you now and would you listen? If it is true, as it seems, that our thoughts do shape who and what we are with emotions giving fuel and weight to thoughts then perhaps it puts some responsibility upon ourselves that is typically not even considered let alone acted upon. The good news is that this responsibility also give us a very powerful tool if only we choose to use it and that also effectively.

I cannot speak of any other time period with any degree of authority but clearly in todays age with a constant flood of new information and an increasing flood of marketing there are a great deal of people with motives that are not in your best interest in effecting your thoughts. That too without you being consciously aware of it. They know very well that if they can influence you into doing something and making you feel and think it was your idea in the first place it will give you a sense of ownership and become part of your personal identification. Few things are more clear with this then when people pay a premium for a brand named item that is not more or less quality then something else of a more unknown name.

We've had much of our thoughts manipulated since we are very little and extremely impressionable and it is not by accident. As an example it is not by chance that your favorite brands as an adult also tended to be your favorite as a child. My point here is not to focus on marketing as much as the fact we've been sold a purpose and meaning of life instead of been empowered to discover our own. Life and reality cannot really be about obtaining material goods, paying taxes and money to banks at the cost of passion within our lives. We have a higher standard of living then pretty much any time in history but this has not made us more happy which is proven by the fact more than half of Americans are on anti-depressant pills.

Something is missing and wrong and my contention is that somewhere along the line this manipulation of our thoughts, which also includes religion, politics and so many other things, for the benefit of someone else who could care less of our welfare is what life is not supposed to represent. Some how we've forgotten, or rarely embrace, that we are ALIVE!!! Right now we are experiencing something amazing, living on a planet that circles a sun in space, we have the ability to ask questions, to love and so much more but all too often the wonder of life has been traded for the next cool thing. I'm very guilty of this same trap but upon my search for truth and desire to ask questions the more I see the illusion we live in and while troubling at times I do seek to awaken from this dream and to truly LIVE.

Our thoughts are often controlled by our desires, fears, insecurities and vanity. However, the only way to ever be really happy is right 'now'. The only way to really live is to live 'right now'. If you are endlessly waiting for something to happen or dwelling on something that has happened are you really living? Every moment is precious and we all know that life is a fragile and temporary so why do we constantly do everything but live in the moment. What would life be like if we woke up every day and within reason lived it with passion like it was our last? As often said it is not the years in the life that matters but rather the life in the years and while I'm guilty of all I've described this blog is in part my commitment to myself to stop waiting for next time. To stop making excuses and putting my dreams off to some future time that never happens. This is my line in the sand that from now on I will live in passion, making the most of every moment of my life and if these words inspire anyone else all the better. The new motto in life will be 'no more next time' and perhaps you'll walk with me... rather lets run.

What are your dreams? Why haven't you manifested them? I seek to be an author of some value and while this blog is a beginning it is just that a beginning. I have so many dreams that involve my spiritual life and I've spent my life preparing for something and resisting the change. Through many twists of fate change has been thrust upon me and I am very much at the dawn of a new beginning within my life and do seek others of like mind and want to grow together. In so many ways I feel like the phoenix that has burst into flames and is about to be reborn into a new life and with what I know about the power of thought I know that I must focus and must make these goals of mine a reality. The further I go alone my spiritual path the more lonely it becomes but I do hope that I"ll find some fellow travelers soon that feel the hunger and passion as I do. We'll see as no doubt time will tell many tales.

I'm well aware that what I write will not connect with everyone, nor many people period but I also know that if it does that we need to talk and we need to talk very soon.

Peace

CAN FAITH BE USED AS A FOUNDATION FOR TRUTH?

2011-03-06T01:08:00.001-05:00

Faith, by its very definition, is what you have when you do not have proof. Yet, for many faith is all the proof that they need. What is faith and is it really a foundation for the search for truth? In many ways we all have some degree of faith in our lives even if it is faith that we will wake up tomorrow or, as with many, faith in a higher power. It comforts us and in many ways individually and socially holds us all together. Is it though, for the seeker of truth, really the foundation that can be depended upon to form beliefs?

There are a few types of faith such as faith in a tomorrow and a future in general. Someone starting a new business has to have faith in what they are doing, the buying habits of the customers and that there will be a brighter day in the future. This type of faith is based upon first hand experience and is rational since that first hand experience is something within reach and can be easily confirmed.

However, there is the other kind of faith that does not typically involve first hand experience but rather faith in a concept or story that you've been compelled to believe. The power of the human mind to rationalize is amazing and if we chose to believe in something it is all too easy and natural to accept what supports your faith and to dismiss what does not fit in with your faith. Many people believe they are very open minded but this only applies to concepts that exist within the realm they already believe and anything outside of that box are considered absurd, taboo or heretical. All religions do this and not to pick on Christianity too much, but I know it well, but have seen how many times people validate their beliefs with using parts of the bible itself but never question the history of the bible or its over all foundation. They take it upon faith that this is true and everything else is just details. Once more is faith enough to form a spiritual path or should faith be reserved to remain a place holder for truth until better, or more, information comes along.

Religion loves to take faith to a new level by asking you to have 'faith' that they are telling you the ultimate truth. No need for questions and even if what you are told doesn't sit right with you then the rational often is used that the creator works in mysterious ways. Faith is a powerful tool that inspires people to be complacent with 'good enough' and to stop asking questions. Thus is why when a religion is born the truth dies because when you cannot add or subtract from a belief, cannot question it and it requires that you must believe beyond your reason it grows static and once more it dies. The only constant it seems in nature is change and anything that suggests otherwise is in direct opposition to nature and thus an aberration.

Not to seem like I am trivializing anyone's faith but an example most of us can relate to is the story and belief we had as Santa as a child. When you are little your parents tell you there is a Santa and based upon your 'faith' in them you believe it without question. Eventually, when you challenge them on how Santa could travel the world in one night the typical response is that he has magic and it offers a rational that gives us just a good enough answer so that we can hold on to the belief we want to hold on to. Over time though as we mature and more questions come to the surface the adults finally break and admit they've played a game with you the entire time and then you let go of the 'faith' that Santa is real. (Sorry if I have busted the bubble on that for anyone.)

How does this relate to spiritual faith? Well, a great deal. It is not by chance that most people who are raised in a Christian family become Christians or that Hindu families raise Hindu children. Most of us take it on faith that what we've been raised with, and our families passionately suggest is true, must be true because why would they lie or misrepresent anything to us? Also, as children we are powerfully influenced by our families, culture and authority figures that tend to be the roots of our spiritual path for the rest of our lives regardless of if you are consciously aware of this or not.

As passionate as you may be about your faith have you ever pondered what would have happened had you been raised in a totally different culture and religion? Odds are extremely good that you would be that other religion and just as passionate about it because you have faith that what you believe is true. The story of Santa relates because while the adults eventually break and admit that Santa really was an illusion they do not do that with whatever superior being you prefer. Yet... the degree of 'proof' and requirement of magical thinking is exactly the same. Additionally, the influence of the authority of your parents as a child may evolve and be passed upon some other spiritual authority such as a pastor, guru or the like. If I've articulated this well enough I hope it may, if nothing else, inspire new perspective.

Faith is really all you need if you don't ask too many questions. If you would have never asked questions about Santa and/or when you did you were discouraged from asking them or even worse that you would burn in hell if you did ask anything about Santa would it be possible that even today Santa would be real to you based upon your 'faith'? Further, you would have proof that Santa exists because clearly presents appear on Christmas Eve and the cookies do vanish.

Whenever I discuss much of anything in a forum, group and in person with people who believe things that are based upon faith I've learned that there is little point in having any rational discussion with them. If faith is the foundation of your beliefs there is no level of information that can be presented to you that can alter your view. This is not a strength but the sign of a closed mind and honestly I find it unfortunate and interesting. There is something very human about faith and perhaps it is the simplicity. With faith alone you don't have to deal with valid challenges to your beliefs because faith is by its very nature irrational and impossible to debate against. Usually, I literally or figuratively smile and nod and just move on because these types of people feel they have all the answers they need and any questions are typically considered terribly threatening.

Faith isn't all bad and can be a powerful tool for spiritual growth as sometimes obsessing about the details of everything would hinder you upon your path. As an example, I tend to have faith that reincarnation is likely true due to the fact that everything in nature is cyclical and I see death and rebirth around me all the time. Furthermore, if there really is a soul, or something that does incarnate once it only stands to reason that to incarnate again, aka reincarnate, is well within the realm of reason. (Fact ~ For the first 300 years or so of Christianity reincarnation was taught and within one of the books of the bible that is now restricted from your view)

Do I have 'proof' of reincarnation... No. However, I have faith that it is again likely true for the reasons I've noted, and more, but do not use faith alone to support my thoughts. If new information comes along that may change that thought I am alright with it and can grow with it. I use faith as a place holder that allows me to ask more questions such as what might it mean if reincarnation is true. What might it tell me? It is tool to advance my spiritual path vs a tool that will hinder me and give me a false illusion of knowing something as fact that is impossible to know and rejecting any new information that would refute my present view.

Peace