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mystictrek

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About mystictrek

  • Birthday 01/19/1947

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    abundancetrek

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    NY state -- along the Erie Canal
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    I'm a retired Presbyterian Pastor. I retired early because my wife's career took off and I was ready for a change. I'm trying to write a lot and work on promoting what I call The New Church for the New Age. My website and blog are mostly devoted to this project. I don't see my calling as a call to start a new religion. I simply see myself as a reporter or messenger seeking to bring together and empower people of faith who are working to expand God's realm of abundance, joy, wisdom, beauty, love, truth, peace, justice and freedom.<br /><br />I am promoting 12 disciplines to heavenly awareness: stillness, silence, solitude, simplicity, detachment, discernment, devotion, delight, humility, healing, holiness and heavenliness. <br /><br />I like Baseball and I was delighted last year when the Red Sox finally won the World Series. I lived in Boston in the 60s and 70s (Northeastern University & Boston University School of Theology). I lived in Chicago 1980-82 when I got a D. Min. at Chicago Theological Seminary. I lived in Dearborn, MI when the Tigers won the WS in 1984. They got off to a 35-5 start that year. Sparky Anderson was such a great manager, a pastor to his team I think. You guessed it, my favorite movie is FIELD OF DREAMS.<br /><br />I like Rock'n'Roll and wrote my D. Min. project focused on Rock'n'Roll as Play, Protest, Passage and Prayer. Harvey Cox is probably my favorite theologian. I also like John Biersdorf who I had the privilege to study with when I was in Michigan. Harrell Beck, The OT Prof. at BU School of Theology for many years was a major mentor as were several pastors. My favorite all time R&R band is The Who. I need to also mention Chuck Berry, Bruce Springsteen, John Lennon, Bob Dylan, Todd Rundgren, Kate Bush, Peter Gabriel, U2, Van Morrison, Annie Lennox, Cyndi Lauper and the Cranberries. There are more but I will leave that to another discussion.<br /><br />I'm a grandfather now. Emily was born on 4/21/04<br /><br />My name is John but here I go by Mystictrek.<br /><br />I have lived in NJ, MA, IL, MI NC and now NY (upstate). I have been in upstate NY 1988-2002 and now 2005- . Most recently my wife's career took us to Chapel Hill NC and Amherst MA, 2 great towns. Now we are living in 2 places to be near family (Utica area) and job (Rochester).<br />

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  1. Wow. What a list of questions. Many of these questions have been raised before and the archives of this forum provides many wonderful thoughts. I don't know where to begin. Please try to narrow down your quest. Which question is really important right now in your spiritual journey? That famous Rilke quote comes to mind: "Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves, like locked rooms and like books that are now written in a very foreign tongue. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer." -- Rainer Maria Rilke love, john + www.abundancetrek.com & www.abundancetrek.com/blog + "My religion consists of a humble admiration of the illimitable superior spirit who reveals himself in the slight details we are able to perceive with our frail and feeble mind." -- Albert Einstein
  2. Dear SOMA, There is, of course, a lot of truth in what you have said here. I might have totally agreed with you at one time. But I think the appeal of "arrogant, fundamental Christianity" goes deeper than that. I think it's a spell cast by the "world ruler" or the Domination System" as Walter Wink describes it so well. A good summary of Wink's amazing scholarship on the principalites and powers is at http://www.bridges-across.org/ba/vr_confront.htm People under this spell have found a lot of fellowship and joy and meaning in the community of "arrogant, fundamental Christianity" but are still, down deep, pragmatic and kind and gentle people. This morning there is great hope in America and on the planet as the GOP electorate has said NO to the plutocracy of both the Rigid Ideology camp and the Religious Right. I believe deep in my heart that the spell has been broken. We have been a sick nation in need of healing. The growing power of the Religious Right is a symptom but not the cause of our sickness. It goes deeper than that. The GOP electorate has rejected both the Religious Right and rigid ideology. This is really Good News for America and for the planet. Both camps, the Religious Right and the Rigid Ideologists, are in turmoil as they see their era of domination come to an end. Obviously, a Democratic victory in November would be a knock out blow over both camps but McCain, a centrist and a pragmatist would be still be a huge change. The CheneyBushRove plutocratic era is over! Other plutocrats will still find many ways to thwart the will of the people in the new era which has now begun but at least one of the beasts has been slain. I am talking about demons, the principalities and powers, the "world ruler." (see John 12:31) If Romney somehow wins next Tuesday and somehow wins in November, then forget everything I just said. Romney is CheneyBushRove all dressed up as an olympic god! He is down but not out. The Domination System is still hoping he can win but is now turning to McCain and both tempting him and intimidating him. Read Luke 4:1-13. The plutocrats are also using these tried and true practices of those who would keep their privileged status in tact on Clinton & Obama. IOW, those of us who are on the side of God's “new heaven and new earth” (see Revelation 21:1-4) have our work cut out for us no matter who wins in November. But we can still celebrate the victory of love and justice which we have already won over those demons which gave us CheneyBushRove. love, john + www.abundancetrek.com & www.abundancetrek.com/blog + "The day will come when, after harnessing space, the winds, the tides and gravitation, we shall harness for God the energies of love. And on that day, for the second time in the history of the world, humankind will have discovered fire." -- Teilhard de Chardin
  3. A lot of wisdom here as I have come to expect from you ... but ... I looked up "ecumentalism" at dictionary.com and came up empty! No results found for ecumentalism. Did you mean ecumenicalism (in dictionary) or Ecumenicalism (in encyclopedia)? Dictionary suggestions: ecumenicalism Elementalism ornamentalism agenitalism ecu mentalism ecu-mentalism I googled it and it did come up with a few references ((less than 100) so the word apparently is in use. As an ecumenist for my entire adult life, I wonder if you really mean "ecumenism?" I'm going to look that one up now! American Heritage Dictionary defines Ecumenism: 1. A movement promoting unity among Christian churches or denominations. 2. A movement promoting worldwide unity among religions through greater cooperation and improved understanding. I googled it and found over 1 million references. That is a ratio of 1000:1. Maybe you want to go with ECUMENISM? Sorry for being focused on semantics here but I thought this little intervention might be useful. love, john + www.abundancetrek.com & www.abundancetrek.com/blog + We are intimately, intricately and infinitely connected by a matrix of unconditional, unlimited and uniting love which is miraculous, mysterious and marvellous.
  4. See my latest post on the The Scandal of Partcularity string where I claim that ACIM makes it possible for Christianity to become more aligned with Mysticism or the Perennial Philosophy.
  5. + Don't miss this movie! Spirituality & Practice offers a film review by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat of Joyeux Noel which is available on DVD. Review Excerpt: "This story is inspired by the Christmas truce of 1914, a miraculous occurrence of peace for two days when men laid down their arms, came out of their trenches, and celebrated the holiday together. The aftermath depicted in the film is also part of history. The German, French, and Scottish commanders were severely reprimanded for 'fraternization with the enemy.' New troops were brought in to replace those who had been tainted by the experience. After all, war depends upon seeing the other side as subhuman." +++ this is the latest post at the abundancetrek blog.
  6. + I have some more great election analysis for you! TomPaine.com offers "The Incredible Shrinking GOP" by Paul Waldman . He asserts that "Democrats can gain from the gutting of the Republican moderate wing if they make the right moves." This is excellent election analysis. Let me point out some of the highlights and offer some comments of my own. Number One: On November 7, the GOP’s moderate wing, already in decline, was eviscerated. I pointed out after the election that the Northeast bloc now exceeds the South bloc for the first time in perhaps a century even though the South has more population. Without the South, the GOP is extremely weak now: 174 Democrats to 116 Republicans. I think the Southern Strategy has finally backfired since it has made the Northeast and Coastal West mad, really mad that their concerns have been ignored in Congress in recent years. We have heard often that the Democrats were not viable in many states. Now it is clear that Republicans are not viable in many states. Slowly but surely the South will look like the rest of the nation. Until then, the country will probably remain regionally divided. This is now working to the advantage of the Democrats. Until now, it worked to the advantage of the Republicans. What changed is that the Northeast has now become more solidly Democratic than the South is solidly Republican. Few have noticed this most significant shift. Karl Rove's strategy of pandering to the base has possibly made the Republicans a minority party once again. The Democrats are re-establishing their great tradition of being the Big Tent. Number Two: Democrats now control not only the left, but the center as well. In a sense it has been good for the Democrats that the Liberal base is smaller than the Conservative base. The Democrats know that they have to appeal to the Moderates to win elections. This is a good thing. Clinton was smart enough to get elected twice and keep the Conservatives out of executive power for eight years. But the Democrats in Congress went too far Left and lost election after election. Now that they seem to be recognizing that their strength is in the Center (and always has been), they have regained their majority. I am not sure they have learned this lesson. Only time will tell. Number Three: ... voters repudiated conservatism itself. I wouldn't quite go that far. I think they repudiated the radical Right which is different than true conservatism. I think voters respect real Conservatives and will vote for real Conservatives. I think the voters repudiated the cynical and hate-filled so called Christian wing of the GOP which has had too much power in this country in recent years. Americans still know what a real Christian looks like. They know that Jesus is quite unlike Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell and others who come across with arrogance and intimidation and ignorance and intolerance and hate. That kind of Conservatism got "thumped" and the Republicans so far look like they haven't gotten the message. We will see. I figured out many years ago why the progressive wing of Christianity which is associated with the so-called mainline denominations has been on the decline. The mainline denominations have not figured out that the culture changed since the 1950s. We have been offering a style of worship which simply doesn't appeal to the Baby Boomers. Once we finally come to the awareness that our style doesn't work any more, we just might surprise everybody and make a huge rebound. People under 30 voted Democratic in higher numbers than in the older age groups. They haven't bought the agenda of the radical Right. The opportunity for progressives is enormous. I believe that this is an opportunity not only for political progressives but also for spiritual progressives. We are evolving. We are progressing. Young people intuitively know this and are eager to participate in progressive movements.
  7. The Victory That Masks Defeat: Democrats Right-Leaning "Win" by Sally Kohn > http://www.commondreams.org/views06/1128-22.htm This is an interesting article which might possibly make the Conservatives here somewhat happy. I have already pointed out here that there was no ideological shift in the electorate and there has not been since Reagan won. Yes, the Democrats won by moving to the Right, maybe even a little right of center. If they had moved to the Left, they would have lost. But my analysis differs from Sally Kohn because I believe that the victory does not reward the Conservative agenda but, rather, a centrist, pragmatic agenda. It was a rejection of the radical right. The radical left has been rejected for some time. The basic ideological orientation of Americans is Center-Right at this point, closer to Center than Right. The GOP mistake was its pandering to the Conservative base. Almost half of Americans describe themselves as Moderates. About one-third describe themselves as conservative. As I have said here before, the GOP had and possibly still has an opportunity to be a majority party for many years. But they would have to honor Moderates far more than they do now. Even Liberals should be honored and respected by the GOP. You don't have to agree with somebody to honor and respect them. I honor and respect Conservatives even as I disagree with Conservatives. I begin to lose respect for people who do not respect and honor others. Sadly, Bush & Cheney & Rove & so many others have failed to honor and respect those with whom they disagree. The moderate and liberal voters of America -- two-thirds of the elctorate -- do not like to be dishonored and unrespected. Do you get the message now, Republicans? If you don't get it, you will lose again and again and again even if the country does not move to the Left. I suspect that America will move significantly to the Left within the next decade. The window of opportunity for the GOP will close. They either will become more moderate or they will be defeated. America rejects the agenda of the radical right as well as the radical left. This is nothing new. Ask Barry Goldwater. Ask George McGovern. Only 8 years separated those 2 elections. Both the radical right and the radical left got "thumped" badly. Americans are moderate, pragmatic, sensible. "W" tried to paint himself as a moderate in 2000 but then he governed as if the electorate had given the radical right a mandate. The people were fooled until recently. I knew the moderates would figure it out sooner or later. They did.
  8. Thanks, Jen. I am pondering the meaning of our exchange and so much more! I will offer some wisdom or nonsense sooner or later. Well, Ok. How about sooner?! I think any one and every one has access to the mind of God. God is found deep within every person, indeed every fragment of creation. So, the technique of channeling Jesus or anyone else is definitely valid and I have to respect your approach and still disagree with some of the statements of Jesus. I don't like to disagree with Jesus. I am uncomfortable with it and I guess I wish you wouldn't channel Jesus here because that pouts me in this uncomfortable posiition of having to diagree with Jesus. I would rather disagree with you! The prophets would say: "Thus saith the Lord" and then tell us exactly what God was saying to the people of Israel. As I read those words now, I find I disagree with some of the thoughts expressed but I am sure glad that they spoke and wrote down those words. So, go ahead and give us the word and I will disagree or agree as I understand the Spirit working within me. We need to pray constantly and know God, know heaven, know yourself, know each other. The process of discerning goes on and on and on and we grow and learn and change. Since tomorrow is Christ the King Sunday, let me end here with one of my favorite sayings of Jesus: "The Kingdom of God is within you." Yeah!
  9. Dear Jen, Let me get real honest and vulnerable here. You channel Jesus. Well, good. Others make that claim too and why should I accept your version? Don't answer that. I'm being rhetorical. If it makes you feel good to tear down a souce of wisdom which has made a huge difference in my life for many years and in others, so be it. Do I make myself clear? I don't like it. It feels good to say that. Maybe we can discuss some ideas here but I need to tell you how I feel right now. Feelings are important, No? You are a fantastic and wonderful person. God loves you and so do I. That's the message of ACIM. Have you read it? I wonder. You are a fantastic and wonderful person. God loves you and so do I.
  10. Dear Jesus, With all due respect I do believe that ACIM basically focuses on one truth. I love the introduction: This is a course in miracles. It is a required course. Only the time you take it is voluntary. Free will does not mean that you can establish the curriculum. It means only that you can elect what you want to take at a given time. The course does not aim at teaching the meaning of love, for that is beyond what can be taught. It does aim, however, at removing the blocks to the awareness of love's presence, which is your natural inheritance. The opposite of love is fear, but what is all-encompassing can have no opposite. This course can therefore be summed up very simply in this way: Nothing real can be threatened. Nothing unreal exists. Herein lies the peace of God. http://acim.home.att.net/text-00.html Maybe you gave us ACIM when you were in a different mood or state!!!
  11. + There are many reasons, of course, for the huge Democratic victory on Tuesday. I like to look at the returns region by region and state by state and here are some of my findings so far: The Northeast is more solidly Democratic than the South is solidly Republican. This is a significant shift since 2004. Even with less population, the Northeast now cancels out the South and then some. I believe this is a reaction to the Rove strategy of depending on the Conservative base. Liberals and many Moderates became increasingly frustrated and angry and have now claimed a majority which may last for a while. Gerrymandering favors the Republicans in the Midwest. The Democrats outpolled the Republicans 11,160,000 to 10,070,000 in House elections but the Republicans won 51 seats and the Democrats won 49 seats. If Democrats have a bigger say in drawing up districts after the next census, then the Democrats should be able to pick up a few more seats in the Midwest. Ohio & Michigan gave Democrats many more votes -- 3.9 million to 3.4 million -- but Republicans won 20 seats and Democrats 13. There's definitely something wrong there. Here's the breakdown of the House seats by regions: Northeast: D=68; R=24 South: D=58; R=87 Midwest: D=49, R=51 West: D=57; R=41 TOTAL: D=232; R=203 There will be a few changes when it's all official but not much. By vote count, The Democrats won in the Northeast, Midwest and West. The Republicans won in the South. Karl Rove's strategy of pandering to the Conservative base has backfired and left the Republicans in a bad position for 2008. The Democrats have both strenghthened their Liberal base and won over the Moderates. Some are saying that the great Conservative revolution of 1980 (Presidential) and 1994 (Congress) is over. Maybe! +++ This is the latest blog post at the abundancetrek blog +++
  12. What scares me about the coming election is that the House districts have become so gerrymandered that the Democrats could get 3 million more votes than the Republicans and still not take control of the House. Since the Democrats have willingly participated in this plot, they have no one to blame but themselves if this happens. But it was done partially for a very positive reason: more representation for minorities. I would like to see us draw up districts in a more reasonable way even if African Americans and Hispanics temporarily have less representation. It doesn't help them to have more represntation if their party is always in the minority because of the gerrymandering.
  13. I believe that Jesus gives permission to all his followers to put words in his mouth. There are some biblical verses I could point out here but that would take some time to look up. This was done a lot in the first 200 years before the Bible became fixed. The Jesus Seminar has made it abundantly clear that most scholars believe many of the words of Jesus found in The Bible and in the other ancient writings are definitely words put in his mouth. I believe that is one of the best things about our great wisdom tradition. It si flexible and innovative and changing and growing. Are there contradictions? Of course there are. We are only human and we make errors frequently. We need correction after correction after correction as we evolve. Jesus is definitely a real person with a real history. As The Christ, he is identified with an archetype which is dynamic and beyond our limited human knowledge. We lack the words to adequately describe the archetype of The Messiah. We try. We sometimes say some very wise words and sometimes say some very foolish words. We must keep evolving, keep progressing, keep trying to understand The Christ who is intimately and intricately and miraculously available to us and infinitely and mysteriously beyond us.
  14. "The whole world is ensouled by the marvellous and mighty Presence of the Divine. Every speck of space is filled with the infinite Power and Glory of the Divine. Every atom is charged with Its Love and Ecstasy. Here and now anyone can experience the Divine in all Its perfections." -- Swami Omkarananda < http://www.omkarananda-ashram.org/saying.htm
  15. Most Presbyterian clergy are at least relatively progressive while the laity lag behind. My hope for my denomination is that it will become more and more progressive. I am sure there are many UCC, Lutheran, Episcopal, Methodist, Disciples, RCA (and others) here who feel the same way about their denominations. Let's not give up hope about our current mainline denominations. I do hope that the mainline churches will someday merge. Particularly Presbyterian, Methodist, Episcopal, Lutheran, UCC, RCA, Disciples of Christ. There is no compelling reason for us to continue to be loyal to our European backgrounds. We can integrate these traditions if we become a little more humble and open-minded. There has been some progress at ecumenical cooperation in the past 100 years but we still have a long way to go because of misplaced loyalties. It is too bad that it may be continuing shrinkage which will bring merger about. Merger is long overdue. Progressives need to take over these denominations with evangelical zeal and political know how. Our cause is the truth. Bob Edgar is working hard for this cause. I heard him this morning on the Diane Rehm Show (NPR). He is the Executive Secretary of the National Council of Churches of Christ. He has just written a book called Middle Church: Reclaiming the Moral Values of the Faithful Majority from the Religious Right. There are several great links which you can find on my blog today including a link to an interview he just did for Faithful America. What do you think of my new blog format? Please check it out. Thanks!
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