soma

I would say the people on this forum believe in God. DavidK I would say you are at your wit's end as to what to do about it. You keep repeating "Where is God?" If we make a response about God you respond "Where is God?" We answer and you more sternly say, "WHERE IS GOD?" The people on this forum seem to have found God and are happy well adjusted in their relationships with God because it is moving, growing and not static. Where is God? is a question you have to answer for yourself. I hope you find God and peace of mind. When people here explain their relationship with the Supreme which is different than mine I don't attack, but am overjoyed and inspired by their love. We are inspired to try to bring our love to everyone at God's party. Not a party where people get belligerent because God is not an abusive, belligerent god, a god who does not love everyone. I hope you find some allies that guide you to a loving God.

DavidK no need for apology. I posted before I read your last post and was impressed by your opening. Nice to see we are talking together and not at each other.

The finite cannot describe the infinite, but we can have fun trying. An example are the three blind men describing the elephant. I am not going to get into who is right or wrong we can go around and around about that like hamsters in a wheel. In our efforts to describe God and gain knowledge of love, Spirit ect, we use and need concepts and expressions that are beyond our reach. These terms are used to help us reach our goal, to become a better Christian, a better person, or come closer to God. To be born again. A true description of God, for our limited minds in only an attempt to describe God's infinite attributes. He is exalted above all concepts coined and fashioned by the human mind. Nicodemus was a religious leader in his day who lived a morally upright life. He went to Jesus seeking to fill something in his life that was missing. Jesus got right to the point. He told him he needed to start life all over again so he could see the kingdom of God. He had to be born again to get a new nature that was totally different from his current one. Jesus said, "You must be born from above" (John 3:3). An action must be taken by God in heaven that is directed to the rebirth of your soul before you can even see God's kingdom. Even though you are a deeply religious, morally upright person, you must be born again." We all need to be born again. Everyday, every minute. DavidK others here gave this advice to you sincerely. The people here share insights and encourage each mind to see a new life in Spirit, not words. I see and feel it in their writings. It seems you are fighting and swinging everywhere so you don't have to change or budge from a position that is not worth defending with you soul. It is hard to give or receive when both hands are in a fist. Open you mind and heart and your eyes will see. It is all within you.

Our knowledge and perception are both limited, so how can we understand an infinite God that is unlimited? We purify our minds, become aware of Christ consciousness and love God and one another. Love and unity set us free from our selfish desires and show us the way, away form moral condemnation. Ecumenalism and religion serves this purpose. Re and ligio, religious re=again and ligio latin for connect. To reconnect and come into life from the inside, human spirit. Religion and Eumenalism provide us with a discipline of bringing people in rather than leaving them out. The nonverbal arts heal from within a communion with the depth of the infinite ocean. Christians are reasonably literate in the verbal arts, but division seems to grow with injustice and social suffering the result. These our the handicaps of the shallow areas in the infinite ocean, an autism and hysteria that gives some Chrsitians an inability to respond, connect and experience the world of all beings. The spiritual awakening and healing must come from within. It is the spirit that has the capacity to relate to all things and all beings, not just self interests. Ecumenalism is a tool to work with these symptoms of separation, power, and domination so we can understand our physical and spiritual ecology to develop, learn and evolve as an individual, a religion and a society. We need to rekindle the sense of community, a community that opens the spirit and minds with a deeper communion with the infinite. Ecumenalism is the vehicle to humane, heart-awakening, mind-expanding wisdom away from a sentimental denial and mental dullness. We are not separate beings, but human beings with love venturing forth affirming the greatest good as part of our Christian experience. The concept of love is taught in the Bible as well as in other writings, but one does not learn how to love from reading, one only gains the spiritual inspiration to love. Ecumenalism is one way to help spread that love.

To bring this thread back to topic Ecumenalism. (John 17:21) King James Bible That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. As Christian we are blessed with Christ, The love Our Father has for His Son, should be in the disciples. They should enter into the consciousness of love. It is love and joy that we are called to, the enjoyment in this world is the love which Christ knew. His Father’s love was His delight. In John 17 Lord Jesus has identified us with Himself. He shows us identity of spirit. "that they may be one as we" (John 17:11). He shows us identity in separation: "they are not of the world even as I am not of the world" (John 17:14). There can be peace and love in life and this world through the elimination of fear and tension in the individual. Our life as Christians is our unity with Christ's consciousness of love and its expression is our Divinity. I like the idea of pluralism in Ecumenalism. In the infinite ocean there are different levels. The ocean is warmer at the top and colder as one goes deeper in the infinite. In the different religions there are different levels of understanding God, this infinite ocean. It seems at a deeper level the different religions are uniting in love, and unity in one God while at the shallow levels the ice separates the understanding. We have suicide bombers, KKK, and radicals ready to kill and condemn in a moment. In the individual lives we have tensions growing in some while material comforts increase and love and relaxation growing in others who open their hearts and mind. These individuals are not restricted by boundaries or their bodies. They love and communicate at all levels. May we all find our potentials as we descend to the depths in the infinite ocean of love. As a Christian who loves Christ, the only way I could not accept another person's religion is if I didn't know Jesus, didn't love Jesus or didn't follow his teachings. With that in mind if I can help a Muslim become a better Muslim. I should help him go to a deeper level of understanding. May we all love and serve God the best we can.

DavidK , you say God is Infinite. I agree with that God is Infinite and One, but the problem is after that you limit God or you put Him in a box as others tried to tell you in a subtle way. To define the infinite, therefore, is to make it definite, and no longer infinite, yes you put Him in a box and didn't even get the subtle comments to the fact. In fact, to say anything at all of the Infinite, is to actually say nothing about the true Infinite. Like the Tao, the Infinite that can be named is not the true Infinite. God cannot be defined or represented in rational terms, it is nevertheless profoundly meaningful. God is a spiritual reality that has flooded the human mind with awe and inspiration for thousands of years. Throughout history, the intuition of God or the Infinite has been known by equally profound terms: the Absolute, the One, the Unconditioned, the Unlimited, the Indivisible, and the Indefinite. You then talk how important a personal relationship with Jesus, but you give a rational argument why you will not do him a favor. Abraham was willing to sacrifice his first son and not substitute a ram instead. In his relationship he would do what ever God asked, not make excuses. He passed the test. He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. {30} But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" (Matthew 14:29-31) DavidK you doubt so you don't listen to precious advice from devote devotees of Our Lord. If Jesus asked you to become Buddhist would you do it? God Bless

DavidK, Simple question do you believe in one God or not? If you believe in one God why do you keep bringing up other gods? If one believes in one God that person would focus on that infinite and not create lesser gods for sake of debate. Second simple question, if Jesus personally asked you a question. "Would you do me one favor," would you do what Jesus asked? Jesus died on the cross for our sins, so that we could be in relationship with Him. Others on this site have given you very good advice. They are saying get to know God better. You believe in one God, but it seems you don't know God personally. Know God and you won't have to prove to us or yourself that there is one true God. You will live it, know it and believe it. You will see God everywhere. Enjoy God everywhere and have nothing to prove.

Mystictrek, great quote............................................Right on the spot. DavidK, We accept there is only one Supreme God who is abstract, who has no form, no beginning and no end. We , being finite human beings with a material mind need something to identify with so we follow our own religion. A Hindu which you brought up thinks of Krishna as the personal link to the infinite God the same as a Christian thinks of Jesus. No religion talks ill of another religion. We only waste time if we think about the whys and whats of the contradictions, because , first of all we do not know all the teachings of all these religions. We can live and let live within our small circles, ;only this is possible. It is impractical to try to change these contradictions. Why try to erase other circles because if one knows God created everything than it is accepted. We can change our lives by becoming aware of our unity with an infinite God and the infinite possibilities that await us, but first, every new stage in life requires us to part from the previous one. Childhood gives rise to youth as it develops into adulthood. After a temporary stay our minds expand doing away with ignorance in order to approach God where the only medium between our minds and God is our thoughts. As we bring ourselves to a greater consciousness, positive life affirming beliefs are accepted and negative thoughts and problems disappear as we express more love, peace, joy, wisdom and harmony with everything that flows unceasingly from God, but many hesitate to venture into the unknown. They tend to cling to the familiar in life, even if they are not happy. This clinging tries to negate others. DavidK, I have only one question for you. If Jesus came to you and asked you to do one favor for him would you do it? Remember Jesus died for us. God does not ask easy questions so would you do Jesus a favor?

KDavid, We are united in the joy of Our Lord. Psalms 133:1 - A Song of Ascents. Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! 1 Peter 3:8 - Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love of the brethren, a tender heart and a humble mind. In unity we celebrate diversity. The advantages are: efficient and effective personal and interpersonal communication team work increased creativity and innovation more enhanced problem solving overall well being. higher morale. wider talent pool satisfaction. positive community image With these advantages pluralism is not bad, but good. The pluralism in the Bible must be be taken seriously. The different views in it keep us discussing the Bible and keeps us humble, knowing that we do not have a corner on all the truth. Some Christian traditions may emphasize some aspects of our biblical heritage more than others, but they are only partial. The Bible has many diverse viewpoints, we can no longer have the arrogance of claiming we have the whole truth and others do not. We can't wait for others to tell us the answers, the Bible is for discussion, we must actively seek the answers in the Bible. If we do this we will learn, grow and accept others growth too without condemnation. In this way we will be attentive to the Spirit and not the words or laws to put others down. The Bible tell us that no one way of perceiving God is complete and final. It says there is no one understanding of how God relates to us. It is all-inclusive because there is not just one way to be faithful to God. If a person can only worship in one way I would say that person is not worshiping God.

Everything is interconnected, interrelated and interdependent, and we are an integrated part of this whole. As humans we are in a unique position. We are at a crossroads between matter and the all-pervading consciousness of God, between a material form and a spiritual form. As humans our mental concepts can affect, enhance and direct us to a relationship with ourselves, our neighbors, our world, and to our Creator; or they can also be destructive to our welfare. They can disconnect, dissociate and confuse us; or they can expand our consciousness and unify us with all life. By expressing wholeness and conforming to our nature we express love. Love is expressed in the universe as unity because beings move toward each other communicating with their loved ones internally. It is an expression of God, a kind of echo and is universal. Conservative, fundamental Christian men and women are blocked along the way from the fun by their fears, superstitions and other unseen obstacles. They are afraid to love and be open to love and we can see these same superstitions blocking men and women come from the con in conservative ideaology. Today, we see people forming "me-them" relationships and defining the other person or organization as an unbeliever and themselves as the anoited one. This is done to justify being superior, but it doesn't present the mind with the extraordinary attitude of love. Mystictrek you are right about the good Christians who are starting to see the light and feel the love and leaving the right wing propaganda. The love inside will guide them to love and away from the salesmen selling plots in heaven at the expense of their soul.

I am happy that silent communion with God is real and constant throughout the Quaker family. It is natural that God is all embracing, moving, blissful and unrestricted so the path to a genuine relationship with God is freedom, a moment-to-moment responsibility and an intuitive communion with Him/Her. We can meddle, tinker and mean well, but to break up old patterns of thought and behavior, we need to open ourselves to new possibilities. With the highest exercise of our intellect we know the purpose of our existence and can proceed to live intelligently according to it, if we direct our physical and mental activities to God No wonder the Quakers have a peaceful smile and demeanor.

Why are people attracted to arrogant, fundamental Christianity and its authoritarian superiority, not a true, loving, spiritual practice? I would say because they do not have to think or make choices, all they have to do is obey and discredit. It is the law of the cult, not the grace of Our Lord. The escape from responsibility comes with all the answers, but no questions. It’s admirable that people here rebel against the tone of us vs. them because it comes from a longing for the most sacred heart of Jesus, relating in peace and compassion to anyone or anything in need. DavidK we don't need control and closed minded fear. We have faith, love and personal relationships with God. My advice is stop believing and thinking of the fear and superiority others feed you and concentrate or contemplate on your personal relationship with Our Lord. Preaching doctrinal militancy is not Christian. 2 Corinthians 13:14 "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all." Colossians 3:12 "So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;" "..the reason for loving God is God Himself; and the measure of love due to Him is immeasurable…" Bernard of Clairvaux, On Loving God Unity is based on friendship and love, it is seeking the good of others. Religion is a sharing in the love that the Father gives us through the Son and the Holy Spirit. I suggest finding love with God inorder to learn to love others.

DavidK, The Bible to me is a Holy Book a guide to know oneself and God. I don't see it as a law book so it can be thrown at people. God is not a genie that can be put in one book so only certain people can believe that their religion is superior and everyone else's is inferior. I find that disturbing because "The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going." --Proverbs 14:15 (KJV). Does this make you feel superior that God is with you and everyone else is wrong. I know people have told you this a thousand times and you believe it that your idea is correct and everyone else's is wrong, but "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise." --Proverbs 12:15 (KJV) Learn from everything. It is hard to love with a superior attitude. "Let all that you do be done in love." --1 Corinthians 16:14 (RSV)

The beatitudes are found at Matthew 5: 3-12 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the earth. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are they who suffer persecution for justice sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Russ, nice job. Mckenna I was fortunate to attend a Quaker worship and it was very impressive. You go into the silence, but if compelled to speak, sing or remain silent is a spiritual awakening. People spoke some supported in an inspirational way and some disagreed in an inspirational way. The majority chose silence. It all was a part of the silence inside and out. Russ is the way service is usually conducted? I really like this procedure and found it very beneficial.

Thank you, my spelling is not the best. It is ECUMENISM. I will have to correct all my errors now. Thanks for the heads up.

The Infinite God is a complicated situation that is so far beyond the grasp of languages that it cannot be expressed at all in an un-paradoxical manner, which is why it uses intuition. Throughout the different ages men and women have been intuitively aware of the existence of such a magnificent God, and among the saints and mystics of all times in all religions there is a common experience of unity. Ordinary men and women cannot see or feel this experience because they have not gone pass the ego. They are too busy trying to prove that they are right, better, superior or know when others don't. It is natural that this would happen because some people have developed themselves more than others and are use to feeling and seeing in a dimension distinct from what others know. We have read about many extraordinary things that have happened in our times and in other ages, but the ordinary people deny it because they just don't understand the experience. Cynthia I like your words and approach as I see religion flowing from you from the inside where love springs forth, not from the outside in. Seeing God as omnipresent is the answer to our problem because it helps us to overcome the present conditions of the world. Quarrels among churches, among countries, religions and wars would end because we would see that there is only one God uniting us all. We live in God move and have our being in this One God so we must continually speak with all men, religions, philosophies and sciences about those things that exceed our understanding so we can grasp the inexpressible, the incomprehensible, the invisible and the ungraspable with our minds and representations. As we climb the mountain to the higher layers of our mind we find the differences in traditional religions diminish because all paths that ascend lead to love and unity. Love and knowledge of God comes from inside and then is built into the life outside in a life of love and unity. As Christians may we live a life of love and unity, not superiority.

Mckenna, Thank you for the quotes, they reflect the love and warmth of you heart. I agree the many paths will vary, but they all lead to unity and love of all. Salutations to the Love within you.

The Holy Spirit illuminates our minds and opens our hearts. Let us read the Bible with the Psalmist's prayer: "Open my eyes, that I may behold wonderful things from Your Law" (Ps.119:18). I hope when we read the Bible, God speaks to us and touches our lives, giving us the power of faith, hope, and love. The Holy Spirit illuminates and reveals the whole truth. We know this if our heart is filled with love. David I feel you have an understanding heart. You understand what is right, good, and just. I am sure many people benefit form your mature wisdom. DavidK seek wisdom with God and from His word and not words alone and you will find a hidden treasure. Illumination is the method used by the Holy Spirit to shed Divine light on all seeking people as they look into the Word of God. It is the written word of the heart. Illumination "The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind...." Ps. 146:8 "The entrance of thy words giveth light..." Ps. 119:130 "But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit..." 1Cor 2:10 ""For god, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of knowledge..." 2Cor. 4:6 "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth" Jn. 4:24 being in the light 'Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Ps 119:105 "Thou shall decree a thing and it shall be established unto thee and a light shall shine upon thy ways." Job 22:28 "For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light" Ps 36:9 in the Spirit "Build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jude 20-21 "The true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him." Jn 2:23 "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, ad sellf-control. Gal 5:22-23 David, God is infinite so he is subject to no limitation or external determination then why put limitations on God? When we dwell in the consciousness of God as the infinite Power then no human, devil or evil can do us harm. God is the one Power, the All-powerful and the only Power that we acknowledge, nothing less than Omnipresence. When we’ve come to understand this fact and the interconnectedness of all things, we’ll know love; we’ll know ourselves; and we’ll know peace. "One God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all. Ep 4:6 "There is only one God." Ep 4:6 "For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things." Romans 11:36 In conclusion I would say let us learn from others who have relations with our Lord. We don't have to imitate them, but if we learn, grow and love our Lord and God even stronger than before than all benefit. It only hurts ourselves to make God into a rigid plastic statue that glows in the dark only for the sake of saying we know the boundaries of God when God is infinite. Love

David, Thanks I wasn't clear about pluralism. I appreciate you clearing it up for me. You did a good job. In our inner pursuit of truth and the outward performance of our holy deeds we notice others doing the same thing in a different way. It sure would be boring if we all did it the same way. The institutions or ships that propagate a certain path hopefully don't shoot at the other ships trying to navigate a way. The way is pursued by people of all faiths, surely some common ground must exist. I like to pursue the common ground, but I don't think finding common ground is necessary, but mutual respect is. Hopefully we can learn and be inspired from other ships that come close to our shores. The ships sailing together can form fleets, but I don't think it is necessary to form a fleet as long as it is understood that each has a right to passage. The ocean is big enough for all ships, fleets and ship wrecks. May we learn from the maps that have been made from previous voyages and stop shooting cannon balls that just waste resources that can be better used. The map never corresponds to the surface, but it can be a great help navigating the uncharted waters. I think the fleet called Christian Buddhist are bringing balance to a stormy sea. I am not one, but I respect and understand what they are doing joining practices that only take them deeper and further along. The meditation is making them better Christians by helping them understand the mind so they can serve Our Lord and mankind better.

The first commandment is “I am the Lord thy God and thou shall not have strange Gods before Me.” This is the basis for the conviction that there is only one God, a belief that leads to the knowledge of unity, which once accomplished influences and helps us in our daily lives. There is only one God appearing before us, and this one God is for everyone embodying the secrets for successful living in His all-pervading consciousness. In the awareness of God’s omnipresence we realize that God is all loving and always present so there is no need to fear either man or his developments because God has full power. It doesn’t matter how negative or bad life can be because similar to Noah we can go into the ark of God’s all pervading consciousness and find protection from the flood of cruel experiences that drown us in unbearable agony. The vigilance to stay in the ark of pure consciousness takes discipline, but satisfies our basic spiritual need by acting as a counter-weight to the ever increasing nervous, mental and physical tensions in modern life. This counteraction to the deterioration caused by our daily fight for survival helps us to grow healthier and more relaxed as we become calm, less inclined to agitation, frustration and a bad frame of mind. Therefore, the reassuring first step to know the meaning of God is to develop the conscious awareness of His omnipresence, which is ancient and as modern as the space age. Dedication to the recognition of this one God as an art and the unity of all things in His consciousness as a science will eliminate the stress and hustle of modern life. In the ocean there are many currents (pluralism) some moving in the opposite direction, but if we look at the whole ocean the currents are viewed as one in harmony with each other and an intrinsic part of the ocean as a whole. This unity not only affects the ocean, but the earth and the atmosphere around it. We tend to see ocean currents as individual things and barriers, but in reality they are interconnected ecosystems and are continuous. Our individual lives are also like the ocean currents because they tell of one history that is interwoven in pluralism, and in this knowledge that we are part of something larger we find contentment, satisfaction and happiness in life. Appreciating that God created all things, Christians transform their conscience to one of unity and harmony that attracts health and good fortune. A belief in the unity of all things provides the mind directed to this one God with life, meaning and power because it can rest and recharge the batteries of one’s physical and mental processes so it can better pursue life with renewed energy and clearer thought. The mind functions better with thoughts that there is only one, living and omnipresent God because it is not afraid. To understand and have honest relationships our minds need to be in a state of relaxation and to be able to access the deepest spiritual experience because the mind can understand and accept things, when it believes God created everything in unity with all things. This spiritual truth with sufficient evidence renews the mind and increases it’s capacity to grow in the conceptual knowledge of God.

To the religious leaders of His day, Jesus said, "You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life" (John 5:39-40). The Bible says, "God is everything." Therefore, God exists in me, and because of this I can recognize other beings in which God exists. In him we live, and move, and have our being.... "We are his offspring." —Acts 17.28 NIV For from him, and through him and to him are all things. —Rm. 8.36 NIV There is one God who is father of all, over all, through all and within all. —Eph. 4.6 God is love, and anyone who lives in love, lives in God, and God in him. —1 Jn. 4.16 . Having considered that everything is God, or pure consciousness, we are now ready to turn to the question of how this vision of life helps an individual with his or her own possibilities in life. Understanding the unity of the world amidst its many challenges and threats gives us insights into the growth and flow of all natural life. The more we understand God’s divine outlook, the more we will be delighted, successful and victorious in our new beginning because holding mentally to a positive attitude creates success in this victorious process called “living”. It gives us access to every good. When we are trying to bring balance in our lives, trying to solve problems, we can get positive results by thinking of Christ and his consciousness. He said, “Lord let thy will be done.” Let pure consciousness flow through my mind in the form of ideas, feelings and insights, and let the divine results appear. This attitude is healthy and much more relaxing than rushing about trying to force people, things and situations our way. God can only do for us what He can do through us, we our just a part of His divine plan. God’s intelligence will work out the details and work through us for our success, if we let Him. Unity is powerful because it gives us a positive attitude, the sense of peace in the midst of chaos and access to everything that is good. We can't know everything, but we can know how to live our lives. Our spiritual evolution is not by our biological genes, but by ideas. Ideas don't hurt anyone so let us be open to the Holy Spirit. "To the religious leaders of His day, Jesus said, "You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life" (John 5:39-40). The mere reading of the Bible does not make us a Christian, and the direct experience of the soul can't be realized by the mere hearing of words or by reasoning alone. The Bible has to be read with an open mind to gain the indirect knowledge about the soul and then we have to act to bring that knowledge into ourselves in an actual experience. "What is pure consciousness? Is that like pure mysticism?" To answer this question I would say quiet your mind and go into deep prayer. I don't know what pure mysticism is because I don't use that terminology. Pure consciousness is the all pervading pure consciousness of God that is how I use it. The Bible refers to what I call the Christ Conscious experience as “the illumination” or “being in the Light” or “in the Spirit.” "Make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose." Philippians 4:2 To follow in the steps of Jesus Christ does not mean that we worship Jesus as an idol, but that we follow him as our divine example, a consciousness embodying the deepest meaning of life. To follow Christ we need to make real our own inner meaning of life as Christ did as an example for humanity to love. To do this we need to make an effort with sincerity and devotion equal to Christ's, to live our own life in a perfect way. It is easy in the face of conflict to give up one's real meaning and to take an easier path of imitation with no responsibility for the self. Just take marching orders and do as others say. Had Jesus done this he would have been a good carpenter and not the rebel who loved and brought changes in the social conditions of his time? He overcame the barriers between men and religion, and he resisted the divisions and separateness of the time to exemplify a higher interpretation of experience. He came to pull humans back into the true meaning of oneness. Jesus does not look up to God and devote himself to Him as an object. He said, "I and the Father are one", because his religion is not extroverted, but in the deepest and innermost levels of his own consciousness. God to Jesus is the internal subject, not the external object because his consciousness is united internally in perfect harmony with the divine will of the Father. He loves God as his subject and the world as his object because God as pure consciousness created the world and is in it as the base for everything. Jesus led an active life of charity because the external world is the object connected to the subject by verbs and actions. Jesus knows that the all-embracing pure consciousness incorporates and pervades the material universe so with this knowledge he transcends dualism. He summed it up when he said, "Let Thy will be done." He was requesting the 'doer I' part of the mind that deals with dualism to get out of the way and let pure consciousness flow through him. Let us be good Christians and try to expand and give insight. We are not the judge and jury to decide who is good and who is bad. We are to find our own inner peace, joy and way to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. God is all that matters, not what religion others think is right because the truth that God is one is fulfilling, universal, available and applicable to all. Spiritual harmony may be hidden from us for a while, but it cannot be taken away because sooner or later everyone will be healed and have the ability to see through this illusion of duality and materiality. Many Christians are losing the battle against a persistent bad habit, an addiction, or a temptation, and are stuck in a repeating cycle of good intention, failure, and then guilt. Let us lead them out of their mental misery with love. "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." (Galatians 5:22-23) "Walk by the Spirit, and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh." (Galatians 5:16) May we all relax and feel the Spirit.

Russ you said it perfectly. It gave me goose bumps. I will only add something to keep this thread going. Religion has become a matter of family tradition, a moral habit with some social benefit because it appeals to the emotions and the mind, but true religion satisfies the unit consciousness not by words, but by action and reflection. It not only gives emotional energy and intellectual stimulation, but also takes the sincere beyond the mind to experience the soul. Therefore, one should not be lost in the words alone, but in the experience, the realization of those words. The spoken and written words are not the goal; the end is not in the words themselves because they are just the rule, the standards that show the way to a blissful, loving experience in life. Contemplation teaches without the noise of words because its obvious goal is the intimate union with Christ consciousness. This union with Christ is like a drop of water losing itself in the ocean, yet there are as many approaches to this ocean of pure consciousness as there are Christians, churches and temples.

I also like that quote 'from the inside out". A Christian doesn't have to say he/she is...........................actions speak louder than words. The great personalities that have reached inside don't have to give sermons because their hearts speak volumes to the listener. The speaker and the listener at this level become one mind and hold a mutual love and respect for each other because the realizations that arise from this mutual consciousness are taken into the bloodstream and become a part of the listener's life and being. More is learned from this person's disposition and character than from what is said. Love you guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ecumentalism is the promotion of unity and cooperation between distinct religious groups and denominations in Christianity and in the larger sense the unity among all religions worldwide. Jesus modeled this by associating with all people and castes. He shows us unity by showing us the silent witness inside that sees the Divine and Beloved in everyone's eyes. He was not interested in converting people to his way of thinking or selling real estate in heaven, but to guide people who were ready to go deeper into themselves and the spiritual experience of unity. The spiritual experience can't be taught, but Jesus offered a way to the experience, where God's pure consciousness could be felt. Jesus showed a path to the ocean of God's pure consciousness, a journey of transformation to be in harmony. His consciousness takes us beyond the world to an ocean more real than the world of senses. Yes, the Kingdom of heaven where the world of opposites, good and bad does not grow. Jesus cuts through the nonsense that people use to offend, condemn and separate people to comfort the offender and the people offended. He showed us how to watch our own minds and not to judge other minds. The pairs of opposites, good and evil hold us to the shore while Jesus shows us the ocean of pure consciousness, which is the way to the other side beyond the pair of opposites. Jesus told us parables, because one cannot tell people or describe what it is like in heaven beyond the mind in the ocean of pure consciousness. Christ consciousness leads us to it, but it is up to us to dive in to see for ourselves. Jesus does not tell us what to do. He takes us to the edge of possibilities and we choose to dive in or not. He does not seek us out, but assist us when we are ready. There are many advantages to having a sanctuary within where one can retreat at any time to an ocean of pure consciousness where one is introduced again and again to the joy and peace of pure love. It is in a state of love where one attains a higher awareness and a spiritual experience in the here and now. The higher states of mind exist along side the lower dimensions, but the higher levels are more loving, creative, and inclusive. The Divine wisdom not to judge those that judge and not to exclude those that exclude others comes from the higher layers of the mind. This spirituality is first experienced within then that person sees the divinity within every other person. This witnessing of Divinity is pure love in the here and now. “Love your neighbor as yourself." First one witnesses the love inside then in others because one can't give love unless one has love. Love is a positive force with a purpose in the core of everyone's heart. It gives a spacious, free quality to the mind because it is without restriction and accepts without judgment. It is not trapped in the mind because it is witnessing the mind in spirit. Observing the workings of the mind does not impede it in anyway, but makes it sharper. The silent witness watching thoughts rise and fall on the ocean of pure consciousness soon dives deep within where everything is calm and at peace. We can't get rid of other people with their judgments and condemnations, but we can go beyond them. Self-love is self-accepting beyond the physical in joy, peace and harmony, a mind that that is efficient and aware. There is no way to this love and happiness because love and happiness is the way, but the art of witnessing the mind can enable us to use every activity of body, mind, and spirit to aid us on this path of love.