What about the sacred or holy?
Are there places, events, objects, or activities that are sacred or holy? This is another way of questioning God's involvement in this world. So the strict non-dualistic answer would be: No, God does not bless anything in this world with sacred essence or holiness because if God were involved somehow with this world, this world would be real, and God would then belong to the realm of duality.
However. There is another way of looking at this question that may be more helpful. First, remember that the word "God" means "that which is Eternal, Changeless, Perfect, Loving, Innocent, One, True, and Creative. Defined this way, God is clearly not involved in our experiences and perceptions in earth life. But, we carry with us in our mind (outside time and space) the memory of God. I call this memory Spirit, but the name doesn't matter.
Everything we see and experience here is a reflection or symbol of a thought system. And while the thought systems can seem to be legion, there are actually only two: ego or Spirit. Duality or non-duality. Illusion or Truth. Separation or Oneness. As our mind chooses between those two systems, our perceptions and experiences on earth reflect that choice. Thus it may be that your perception of certain situations may be an increased feeling of connection to the Holy or Sacred.
As mentioned before, because we want to believe in separation and individuality, the memory of Truth must filter through our individual views of our own uniqueness. Your own personality, then, may be more likely to be receptive to Spirit in some circumstances, but not in others. Maybe you feel a peacefulness as you contemplate the ocean. Perhaps you feel a connection with eternity when you're out in the wilderness. For some, churches and rituals seem to carry a message of holiness. Physical objects, such as relics, icons, or images might seem to convey sacredness. So, if you feel peaceful in some situations but not others, those situations may be reflections of Truth filtered through your OWN perception.
The important thing is not to confuse the reflection of reality with Reality Itself. Personally, I find a walk along the seashore to be very peaceful. But I attempt to remind myself that the same ocean that seems to speak of God to me, has brought tragedy and destruction to many others. Peaceful wilderness can quickly turn to viciousness as weather changes, earthquakes occur, wild animals attack, or people get lost or fall off trails. A beautiful sunset is made by the same star that brings drought and famine to other parts of the world. And the treasured religion may have a history of divisiveness or even violence. This is the realm of dualism!
So, if you feel a perception of holiness, divinity, or sacredness in something of this world, Spirit may be using it to communicate to you in your own unique way. Just be careful to not confuse the symbol with the Fact. And, as with all things of this world, don't get too attached. There are reflections of Eternity here, but reflections are just images.
However. There is another way of looking at this question that may be more helpful. First, remember that the word "God" means "that which is Eternal, Changeless, Perfect, Loving, Innocent, One, True, and Creative. Defined this way, God is clearly not involved in our experiences and perceptions in earth life. But, we carry with us in our mind (outside time and space) the memory of God. I call this memory Spirit, but the name doesn't matter.
Everything we see and experience here is a reflection or symbol of a thought system. And while the thought systems can seem to be legion, there are actually only two: ego or Spirit. Duality or non-duality. Illusion or Truth. Separation or Oneness. As our mind chooses between those two systems, our perceptions and experiences on earth reflect that choice. Thus it may be that your perception of certain situations may be an increased feeling of connection to the Holy or Sacred.
As mentioned before, because we want to believe in separation and individuality, the memory of Truth must filter through our individual views of our own uniqueness. Your own personality, then, may be more likely to be receptive to Spirit in some circumstances, but not in others. Maybe you feel a peacefulness as you contemplate the ocean. Perhaps you feel a connection with eternity when you're out in the wilderness. For some, churches and rituals seem to carry a message of holiness. Physical objects, such as relics, icons, or images might seem to convey sacredness. So, if you feel peaceful in some situations but not others, those situations may be reflections of Truth filtered through your OWN perception.
The important thing is not to confuse the reflection of reality with Reality Itself. Personally, I find a walk along the seashore to be very peaceful. But I attempt to remind myself that the same ocean that seems to speak of God to me, has brought tragedy and destruction to many others. Peaceful wilderness can quickly turn to viciousness as weather changes, earthquakes occur, wild animals attack, or people get lost or fall off trails. A beautiful sunset is made by the same star that brings drought and famine to other parts of the world. And the treasured religion may have a history of divisiveness or even violence. This is the realm of dualism!
So, if you feel a perception of holiness, divinity, or sacredness in something of this world, Spirit may be using it to communicate to you in your own unique way. Just be careful to not confuse the symbol with the Fact. And, as with all things of this world, don't get too attached. There are reflections of Eternity here, but reflections are just images.
posted by AWB @ 2/13/2011 05:48:00 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home