Groups > Spirituality and Consciousness

To me, God is definitely not about suffering. This is why even in Christianity, God was said to have sent his only son to have (already) sufferred for us. The lesson from it is that we do not need to suffer (anymore). This is the part that has been misconstrued by mainly Catholics. The good news Christians talk about is that in this knowledge or wisdom, we can rejoice!

I find that I am joyful whenever I remain aware that even when arrows of attack (by words) come my way, I still remain as "I AM", which is the meaning of the name of God, in Yahweh (a name for God in the Old Testament as transliterated from the Hebrew consonants YHVH). I am able to smile and sometimes laugh it all off when I can see...that we can be so hilarious in our humaneness.

Knowing too that his kingdom is within me and within each and everyone, I realize, they too are loved by God as THEY ARE; then so my respect flows and is extended unto all of them, (knowing) that I am not doing so because I condone their wrongfulness, but that they simply are being themselves in the level of awareness or consciousness they're in.

Sometimes, I am joyful and sorrowful at the same time, but I am truly made happy, just knowing I am loved

My experiences are joyous in nature. Even at times of stress and discomfort when understanding of "higher" reason settles in there is a comforting joy tinting the situation. It is a feeling of not being isolated in my misery and functioning iwithin the process amomg processes. I find that it is "there" tat the blessing resides..

Interesting question Mary; Peace.

Yes we get stuck where we are pushing up against an initial wound. This usually is something that most of us don't recognize as we did not know it was there.

Most people are stuck in a wound from childhood. I will give you my example. A mother was very mean and insenstive and didn't know how to feel her own feelings or relate to a child about theres. The mother is always anxious and angry and not very loving towards her child. (she has her own undiscoverd wounds) She is too busy cleaning her little home to afford any time or love for the developing feelings of her child. She is mean and course and dismissing.

This was the first wounding, which creates a protective mechanism. We learn to adapt and find ways to get by but we come up against this initial wound time after time in life, interaction after interaction we recreate the wound. We seek mates and spouses to fill the need of this wound. We drink, do drugs and act in ways to fill the wound. We become victims and victimizers.etc. This along with all the concepts and beliefs that we adopt or are given to us about what we need to do and be.

If we actually get on a spiritual path or some pinacle point in life we come right up against this wound and our response could be. Hold on to it for all your life, its your wound and no one is going to take it away. We believe we are this wound and all we have created about it, our defense mechanisms etc. We believe we are our wounds and beliefs and concepts and emotions. Without them we do not know who are what we are or what to do with ourselves.

If I may suggest, there is a beautifully written book that goes into this in the most personal and easy to understand way called "The Invisible Partners" by San Diego analyst, John Sanford. It is published by the Paulist Press and is not a religious book. I first read it in the early 1980s and it hit me so hard that I had the feeling that Sanford was following me around with a clip board saying "Hmmmm, Very Interesting" and making notes.

Just a suggestion.

Thank you Richard, I found myself thinking about the comment you made concerning the caste system in India. Certainly it would make sense that if an individual was 'set for life' in a particular caste with no hope of advancement, the renunciation of the physical and transcendence to the spiritual could potentially be the only way to joy. Although, I have heard from Indian scholars who study ancient India, that the caste system was much different in antiquity, and not at all like the cast system typically thought to be 'correct' in the last couple of thousand of years...So I think the idea of renunciation and physical transcendence has little to do with the caste system...But thats another entire discussion of its own. Once again Richard thanks for your viewpoint and insights my friend, Peace and Love, Mary

Hi Wes, I find reading your above explanation of the internal and external experience of God extremely clarifying. This view is certainly similar to my own. My first true interest in Eastern philosophy or religion was indeed 'The Tao', or 'the way'. I found that philosophical process of explanation so fluid..... concerning the mysteries of human existence. It has been years since Ive read any Taoist writings. Although I always study the I Ching, as I always amass great insights upon reading it and I never tire of it. Thanks for your reminder here in this discussion of the eastern Tao.

Mary, In my reading about the Caste system in India, I may be remembering something in the context of the writings incorrectly. What I remember was that the word "untouchables" applied not only to those in Jesus' time that had leprosy or some other obvious malformation of the body which, according to prevailing Jewish Law could not be touched. In India the perception was slightly altered and that was the individual was living out their Karma and as such mortals should not interfere with them for them to complete this particular part of the life that they were currently living. Recognizing that even if Karma was present, not helping a person in need wasn't going to do much for your own Karma, it was decided to make it illegal to mistreat these folks and, therefore, at least help them as far as one could. Am I remembering this incorrectly and applying my own faulty logic? Thanks always for your comments.

Peace, joy and love,

Richard