Re: What Are We?

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: I think it is unfair to comment on anything before understanding the context and content. I say this because you also commented on the Tao Te Ching describing it as "spiritually rough waters." The Tao Te Ching is one of the most gentle, healthy books on the planet. There is nothing rough about it. It is a philosophy, not a religion and God in all his/her/its majesty is a beautiful tapestry woven throughout. It actually might be a great comfort to you right now. The Kabbalah could indeed be described as spiritually rough and it is shown clearly in these posts that even those who know about it, really don't, and probably shouldn't delve into it- especially without the proper training. : Being alone is extremely difficult, particularly for a woman. I have found in my life, however, that God desires us to be alone sometimes in order to discover and heal wounds that begin to make ruts in our psyche and personality. These wounds create habits and decisions that ultimately hurt us. By realizing and recognizing these wounds we can begin a discourse with God asking for help, guidance, wisdom, mercy and grace. I have found that during aloneness one actually grows the closest to God. In fact, this can be a most magical and miraculous time when you can really feel and witness God working in your life without all the noise in the channel. : Regarding inward meditation- I think this the time when we listen to God while prayer is when we talk to God. To be clear, inward meditation to me is a time when we are quiet, still and open to God. This can happen anywhere and at any time and doesn't involve anything that could be injurious to a person. The Christ IS within us ALL regardless of whether or not we realize He is there. Meditation is a method some chose to find him. We are all children of God- always, no matter what. : If I have learned anything in my years of study it is that if something for you is not true, then it's just not true. Basically, each of our realities is different but not better or worse than another's. If we stay open to God and understand that "He" can come to us in a flower, a song, a word, a book, a poem, a prayer, a kiss, a tear- in any way- then we are never truly alone. : Here's a passage that you may like: : "Willing to experience aloneness : I discover connection everywhere; : Turning to face my fear, : I meet the warrior who lives within; : Opening to my loss : I gain the embrace of the universe; : Surrendering into emptiness, : I find fullness without end.. : Each condition I flee from pursues me, : Each condition I welcome transforms me..." : - Jennifer Welwood : : : : : I have been reading everyone's posts and thinking to myself, what could I possibly write that would be relevant that someone hasn't already touched on. All i could think of is that I haven't even read about the Kabbalah and so I don't understand fully the context in which this passage is written. : : I can say however that from what is put down here although beautiful and on the surface deep and meaningful, from my perpective seems all too empty (or hollow as John mentioned) : : Here again we see man looking inside himself for truth and discovery of who he is. : : This never makes sense to me nomatter how many times I've tried it myself or read about it elswhere. : : If the answers where inside of me wouldn't I have a sense of comepleteness being alone? : : You know that whole I am an island thing? : : I have never felt complete or whole, even with God I have to remind myself that He is there and of course He is constantly reminding me He is! : : I've tried inward meditation it did nothing but scare the s*** out of me. I believe it was more of God's rebuke now that I look back, but that is what you do when your young and searching for meaning and purpose. : : I am glad now for God's guidance even when I didn't ask, he knew I couldn't handle the things I would have exposed myself to by dabbling in occult or false mysticism or whatever else I could get my hands on. I know the power and truth that people search for can in it's purest essence and most absolute truth only be found in one place. And it definately ain't deep inside ourselves until we know Christ. : : : From The Essential Kabbalah translation by Daniel C. Matt, p. 124: : : : : : : What are We? : : : The greater you are, the more you need to search for your self. Your deep soul hides itself from consciousness. So you need to increase aloneness, elevation of thinking, penetration of thought, liberation of mind- until finally your soul reveals itself to you, spangling a few sparkles of her lights. : : : : : : Then you find bliss, transcending all humiliations or anything that happens, by attaining equanimity, by becoming one with everything that happens, by reducing yourself so extremely that you nullify your individual, imaginary form, that you nullify existence in the depth of your self. "What are we?" Then you know every spark of truth, every bolt of integrity flashing anywhere. : : : : : : Then you gather everything, without hatred, jealousy, or rivalry. The light of peace and a fierce boldness manifest in you. The splendor of compassion and glory of love shine through you. The desire to act and work, the passion to create and to restore yourself, the yearning for silence and for the inner shout of joy- these all band together in your spirt, and you become holy.

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