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Religion… Good? Bad? Yes! [ Post # 122]

Well, looking over my many posts over the years, you may have noticed a running theme of religious/spiritual thoughts. Yeah, I’ve noticed that also. I’ve had a lifelong interest in the theological realm it seems. It began in my teenage years when I had my “come to Jesus” moment and got involved in a local evangelical church where several of my high school friends attended. I got into the activity of the church and had a lot of good times. Eventually, after graduating from high school I made the decision to go to a Christian college and after college graduation I went on for further religious studies at an evangelical theological seminary, possibly preparing for the ministry in that denomination.

Well, I did not become a minister in that denomination. I did become an ordained minister (and also a priest in a friend’s church) and I did some preaching and speaking engagements over the years. It was fun and interesting, but I was not interested in running a church or being that involved in church life. I did love studying religion and theology and continue doing so now. I opened up to the wider theological, religious and philosophical world in my quest to make sense of life. Oh, yes, I did find a lot of bad stuff in religious groups and lots of bad teachings and practices in various groups. I can understand why many people totally give up on the “church or religious” life. A lot of damage can be done when one totally surrenders to manipulative and controlling groups in the religious world.

On the other hand, it is only natural to seek to find purpose in life on this planet and feel some connection to something beyond the purely material, physical world. So, religions fill a roll in that quest to find meaning to life. And many people find good in religion. So, yes, I feel religion can be bad and good. I see both and I have to come to terms with what to make of all of this for myself. I have a background in the more exclusive, evangelical and rigid thinking religious persuasion and I have some experience in chucking it all away and just deciding to not believe in much, being an atheist or agnostic.

So, at this late stage of life, where am I with all of this? Let me try to explain. I have grown up and lived in this culture in America, in the western world, as they say. I grew up in a Christian world culture, that’s just the way it was for me. I opened up to other ways of seeing life, the other religious views. I see truths in many different religions and philosophies. I do not adhere to any narrow, strict, rigid view or thought system. I am open to the grand mystery of life. I don’t believe God can be defined other than being some force, some energy. I think the best way for me to view all of this is to say my “religion” is a religion of my “best buds.” Yes, that’s it, my best buddies, you could say.

So, my religion is a religion of my “best buds.” My best buds (best buddies) are God and Jesus (Yeshua). God, that force / energy that created me. That force that brought two cells together inside my mother to create me, a unique person in this world at this point in history. Me! I’m here, I exist at this point in time! A miracle. From dust to dust, as they say. I was created from two tiny cells! And Jesus/Yeshua, a person in history who came to tell us about life, about this energy/force called God and this kingdom of God which we can experience within us if we are open to experiencing it. To experience this mystery called life. Yes, the other religions have their teachers, gurus, gods, but I am most familiar with the “Christian” religion, so that’s how I view all of this.

As I see it, we all have our own religions. Perhaps you just join up with a certain religion or denomination and that’s it. No more thinking about all of this. Well, we all have that choice. I will stick with my more open view of this matter. I am open to the mystery of all of this. I don’t know what God is. I do not know who Jesus was. I do not know about the others, either. I don’t know if there’s anything beyond this life experience. I’ve had strange experiences indicating there is more than the visible world. And I know that if there is somewhere we go to after this life, I will go to the best place there is. I have no concerns about any of that. I have my “best buds,” and I will be taken care of. I know this.

Wally

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Just Believe… (I Don’t Think So) [Post #121]

So, are you a believer? That’s quite a question, isn’t it? That could mean a lot of different things. That question is often used by evangelical or conservative Christian people to confront others to establish where they stand in the religious realm. More specifically, they are asking if you believe in whatever they believe in. If they are Christian, they are usually asking if you believe in God and in Jesus as God’s son. If not a Christian, they are asking if you believe in the Divine, God or gods or spirits or whatever.

I would say that most people would say that they believe in something. Maybe there are some people who don’t believe in anything, but I think most of us are believers in something. I even think “so-called” atheists have beliefs that would fall in the realm of the “spiritual” category. I believe “agnostic” is the category most atheists fit into. I mean, perhaps most people would fall into that category. Anyone can see that this thing called life and this thing called the universe is truly amazing. What is it? What is life? We’re not here, then we’re here, then we’re gone. What is this? What’s happening?

So, because it’s such a mystery, humanity developed belief systems. Of course they did. And they developed many, many belief systems. Hence, we have the plethora of religions that we have. So, pick one. Join up. Just believe whatever system you find that suits you. Gotta believe in something, right?

Well, I know it’s a lot more complicated than that and perhaps I’m being a smart ass about all of this. But the mystery is so huge, life is really unbelievable and so uncomprehensible, what do we do? I’m in favor of letting the mystery be. Explore, investigate, contemplate, meditate. Pray about it if you can. Be open in your exploration. That’s my suggestion. Work at it, explore, educate yourself. Just don’t sell your heart and soul to whatever, whoever comes along and grabs you, begins controlling you and manipulating you.

So, my point in all of this? I’m one for thinking this through, rather than just joining up with some group that tells you what the “truth” is and agreeing completely with them and their religion. How do they know? They are just guessing at a lot of this “theological” stuff called “belief.” Question anyone of whatever religious belief system they claim to be a part of, and you’ll find there are some things they disagree with in their system, even if they are a very strong believer in most of the religion they are in. “Yes, I’m a very devout Catholic (or Jehovah, Witness, or Mormon, or Baptist or Scientologist or whatever), but I have a problem with that particular thing,” they’ll often say.

So, when it comes to jumping into a group because they say, “just believe,” I say wait a minute. Have you really thought this over? I’m not so big on belief. I am big on having faith and I see that as very different than just “belief.” Have faith is what I advise. Have faith in, well, whatever you can really have faith in. I have faith. Faith in the “whatever.” I use the term God. Others may use Spirit, energy, whatever. I have faith in a Creator, God, in Christ Consciousness, Jesus’s teachings, the goodness of life. But to believe specifically this and this and this and that because someone says so, give me a break! As Jesus reportedly said, “the Father and I are One, and He is greater.” I say, “I am one with God (and all creation). Yet, God is greater.” Yeah, I’ll leave it at that.

Wally

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Things Come, Things Go…. [Post #120]

Life is hard. There’s a lot to go through in this life, especially if one lives a long life. Overall, our lives may be very good upon reflection, or our lives may be rather miserable as we look at ourselves and what we’ve experienced. Even a very good life has had its rough spots and perhaps very dark periods. So, how was/is your life? I guess that all depends upon several factors. How do we frame things in our lives? Do we just get up every day and take things as they come? Do we have some kind of a belief system we rely on to keep us going? A religion or a philosophy we have developed over the years? Do we have a belief system that serves us when we are young and through later life experiences, we challenge that belief system and perhaps abandon it when everything seems to turn bad. How do we handle the losses we experience? Do they destroy us, turn us into very angry, negative people?

I’ve lived through a lot. Yes, all the things we have to go through. Good times, fun times, joyous times as well as sad times, tragic times, confused times. So, how do I feel about my life at this age, having lived through a lot? Having done a lot of the things I wanted to do, having to suffer through the horrible things we have to endure if we live a long time. The loss of friends and loved ones. Some of us have it easier than others. Some of us have horrendous experiences. Some find a way to get through it all and others do not handle it so well and some give up completely and end their lives tragically.

I find that the hardest thing to handle is the transitoriness of life. Don’t you? Or is it just me? (Maybe I think too much). Everything comes and goes. Life, friends, loved ones, everything. You never know what is just around the corner, what the next second will bring. Tomorrow your whole life could turn upside down, boom. Yeah, we all play the psychological games to deny this, we have to in order to have a good life. How do we hold it all together to avoid being a psychological mess? Depression is not good.

We, my spouse and I, have talked about this from time to time. We have experienced a lot of change in our lives. We used to have a lot of dinner parties and activities with friends and loved ones, but times change, and many of our friends are gone (i.e. dead, see we even avoid the bad words to make it sound better). We traveled a lot and now are slowing down. We used to go out to all hours of the night doing activities, like dancing, etc. and now staying up past nine-thirty is a struggle.

I reflect back on earlier days with nostalgia. Lots of fun times, for sure. Not that current times cannot be or are fun times, I’m not saying that. It’s just different. So much is different. All the activities like decorating the house for Christmas (and we really went all out on that) and those sorts of things are in the past. Yeah, it’s different. I would hop on a plane and go somewhere on a whim. I’d go to Europe every couple of months in my early years in my airline career. Seeing the world, enjoying it all, never thinking about the days when all that activity would slow down. But life happens and the pace does change, I’ve discovered.

The good childhood memories make me smile and at times make me wish I could return for some of those experiences. I guess that’s nostalgia. Makes me happy and sad. Wish I knew then what I know now. I could have enjoyed it so much more than I did. I could have related to others better. Oh, well, we had our day, and we lived it our way. Just memories now.

But, really thinking this over, I’ve come to the conclusion that my life has been perfect. Yes, I said “perfect!” Yes, despite all the bad and the sad and the good, I see my life as perfect. I’ve had the perfect life. I have done all I wanted to do. I realized my dreams. I survived; I thrived. Yes, my dreams were accomplished. I eventually found true love after stumbling through less-than-ideal relationships. So here I am. No regrets. Everything has worked out. Happy with life even though I see a lot of bad and evil in life and in history, which I have studied a lot.

A good friend of fifty-two years just died recently. I’ve been reflecting on his life, and I see his life as very similar to mine. He did all the things he wanted to do. He really had a good life. As sad as I am on his passing, I have a good feeling knowing that he really enjoyed all that he did. We started working together in 1973 at an airline and we both had good careers in the airline industry. Yes, it’s a good feeling living the life that was meant for us. We did it.

So, what now? I am in a new place. I’m in “part two” of my life as I see it now. I have some new things to do, some new experiences. My writing and sharing has been a new adventure these past few years. I have been more studious in my continuing education of subjects of interest to me. It’s all been good and fun. I don’t understand those who get bored in the later years of life. So, as I see it, the “perfect” life continues. Let’s go for it! The good life continues.

Wally

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Teachers, Masters, Gurus, Cults [Post #119]

So, in your religious or philosophical or spiritual journey, who has impressed you or taught you or perhaps even manipulated or abused you? Any really good experiences? Any really bad experiences? Or have you just lived life without following any particular “path,” just enjoying the good life of drugs, sex, and rock and roll or something similar? Just drifted along, not really caring about or thinking about the deeper meaning of life? Some people really get into a movement or a group and go all out. Yeah, gee, there was Jim Jones, Heaven’s Gate, and others as far as groups and gurus that have made the news in the past. And there are groups that have done good and helped people along in their “seeking” for purpose in life.

I’ve pretty much always been involved in trying to figure life out and studied and read a lot and even been involved in some different types of groups. Starting as a teenager in high school, since I was not that happy in my family life at home, I began a “spiritual quest,” I guess you could call it. My family was not really religious at all, even though we did go to church for a while in my childhood. When, as a teenager I heard about a better way of life, being “born again” and opening up to the religious and spiritual realm, it looked very attractive and I decided, why not? What have I got to lose? It’s got to be better than this mess I’m living in at home.

So, thus began my “spiritual journey” which has gone on since that day of “rebirth.” A Christian College education, then a time at a theological seminary of an evangelical church. Experiences with being involved in several different churches, even being a guest speaker several times and filling in for minister friends. And, always, more education and study in theological and esoteric things. Yes, beliefs changed along the way with more and more education and study. Faith strengthened and lost at times along the journey. Yes, life is hard, harsh, and miserable at times along the way.

A friend got me to get involved in one of the big self-improvement, human potential groups popular in the 1970’s. It was a manipulative maneuver by my friend as I saw it, but I went for it and got involved in the training and taking several “graduate” courses (costing substantial money I should say). Oh, well, I did it. I’m sure I learned some interesting things, but the point arrived where I said to myself, “enough is enough.” Time to conclude this stage of my journey with this group.

One day, when they called me to get me to enroll in another graduate course, (I had taken many) I told the person, “no, I’ve done enough, no more classes for me.” A silence on the phone and then a strong response of “oh, no, you can’t stop taking courses. You do know what will happen if you don’t continue, don’t you? You will die! you will get in a car accident, or you will get on an airplane, and it will crash. Seriously, you will die because you are rejecting the truth you now know having been “enlightened.”

Well, that did it. I realized, wow, this is a cult. they really think they have control over us. After a rough conversation with lots of threats I ended the conversation. Time to move on and to hell with their threats and scare tactics. I’ve had my run in with a cult. Fortunately, I was strong enough to say no, and to not allowing myself to be intimidated by their tactics of control and manipulation.

So, what do we do with all of the groups out there in the world. Groups that promise to give you the answers to life that they have. People do fall for the groups and charismatic gurus, etc. Heaven’s Gate and Jim Jones and others who have led many to commit suicide and other evil things. Can one follow good teachers and groups? How does one determine who is good and who is evil and bad?

I had a side business of selling motivational tapes (remember cassette tapes?) for many years from some different companies (Simon and Shuster Publishers and others) I enjoyed the business a lot. I got a good education on this whole area of enlightenment, self-development and motivation and spirituality. But, yes there are two sides to this area. I learned the good and the bad movements and teachers that are out there. You do have to be careful who you listen to, who you follow. There are brilliant and knowledgeable teachers and masters but some have some serious problems. I do like to research any teachers that I have interest in. I want to know what their flaws are so that I can accurately access them.

And now we have political cults to deal with. Another great danger to deal with. Well, what can I say except to be aware and awake to what’s happening in our world. I have no tolerance for evil, hate, violence, etc. That’s how I live. My choice.

So, it is good to continue your education in these areas. Do keep learning and study how to have a good, fulfilling life. Just be clear in your thinking and don’t give in to some charismatic leader or group. Think clearly, think deeply. Realize that nobody has all the answers. Nobody really comes close to having all the answers, the truth. Remember that life is a lot of mystery in the end. Live in the good of life. Live in the love of the good of life. Accept no cruel, evil, chaotic people or influences in your life I say. Learn from the masters, teachers, saints, but don’t sell out to anything but the good, the truth, the Divine, you might call it (I do). Live truth, live love. That’s my gospel. And I believe that is Jesus’s gospel.

Wally

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An Intuitive… Well, That Explains a Lot [Post # 118]

So, I do a lot of reading. A lot of study. I believe strongly in continuing education. Keep learning stuff, they say. And I do. And, sometimes, I have one of those “aha moments!” Sometimes it’s really amazing. Like recently, after all these years, decades of life. Having one of those moments that puts all those pieces of the puzzle (of life) together. Wow.

Reading a book recently I had an epiphany. I guess you could say. It suddenly hit me that I am an intuitive, one of those persons that have more than the usual five senses that people have. One of those people that have a “sixth sense.” When I read that and reflected on that thought, it made sudden sense. My whole life has been an experience of being an intuitive (or some say a psychic, but I prefer the term intuitive). I’ve always had a “sixth sense,” as I see it.

No wonder I have had such a tendency to go to the depressed state in the past. No wonder I was so sensitive, always, to the people I was around, picking up their auras, energies and feelings and intensions. I’ve been more sensitive than others, I now realize. And now, recently, I have been working on handling that situation. I realize that I have to work on taking better care of myself and being aware of the energies and people that are around me. Especially with the world/political situation as it currently is. It can easily put me in a very bad state. I see and experience so many people I know being in a cultlike state of rigid, mean, hateful state of mind. And I abhor hate and evil.

Looking back, I can see I have been a very sensitive person all my life. I have always been sensitive to the environment and people around me. I wish I had been more aware of this situation earlier. Oh, well, at least now I am aware. I just very easily pick up on the emotions and feeling and thoughts of people around me. And sometimes, it ain’t pretty. Very tempting to fall into, get sucked into, deep depression and anxiety. And I know that I can’t let myself go there, no matter what. And to keep from going there takes a lot, I mean a lot, of work.

So, what sort of work can help me avoid losing it these days, with the world, and this country especially, going to pieces? Well, I turn to my spiritual life, I guess you could say. There has to be something more than this visible, material, physical world of seeming chaos and hate. As a student of history, I am amazed how people have lived through the horrible times we read about in studying history. And I mean horrible. A deep study of history reveals much more horribleness than the superficial study of history most of us have been exposed to in school.

So, spirituality is very important to me now. Superficial positive thinking or self-improvement or blind adherence to religion does not do it for me. Been there, done that. Boy, have I been there and done that. Perhaps it helped at times and was better than really going off the deep end and doing something regrettable or unredeemable (i.e. suicide or homicide, etc.). But I need something more than positive thinking and man’s religious structure. Not that religion is bad. I certainly acknowledge the good aspects of religion but also acknowledge the bad aspects of religion.

So, there’s good in religion. There’s good in sound philosophy also, I believe. And in good psychology. If you’ve read my previous blogs, you have probably picked up on my references to the spiritual life. I believe a spiritual life is important in getting through this life in a successful, happy way. And, as I see it, a spiritual path is a very individual path. No one can really provide the way, the truth for you. They can assist. They can teach. But you must find your way, as I see it.

All I can say is, don’t let the “world” dictate its chaotic message to you. Find your way. Be aware of your surroundings in a “spiritual” sense. Find the “something,” the good in the world, the good in life. It is there I absolutely believe. I am comfortable in calling it God. But, as many sages say, you can’t really name it or define it. Just let it be. Find it. If you find it or have found it, I say “live it!”

Wally

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I’ve Been Born Again! (And Again and Again) [Post #117]

Halleluiah! I’ve been born again! Oh, my… have I flipped out and become a religious fanatic? A Fundamentalist Jesus freak? Well, no. I’m not saying this phrase in that respect. Not that there’s anything wrong with that exclamation if that is your experience, I say. I’m referring to that type of experience in a more secular way. I’m thinking along the lines of a quote attributed to the Buddha (around 500 B.C.). The quote attributed to him was something like “Every morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most.” Gautama Buddha’s profound insight on the importance of living in the present and making each day count.

So, yes, I’ve been born again and again. Every morning, I wake up and begin a new day. Every day is like a new birth! We start our new day, and if we think right about it, it can be like a new life. But do we see it that way? Do we live life that way? For many, probably not. I’d have to say, that for a lot of my earlier life, I never thought of it that way. Too bad, as I think I missed out on a lot of the joy of life. I just woke up and continued in the muck or whatever from the previous day. I didn’t think of treating each new day as a new starting point that could be a wonderful experience. Being “born anew” each day would have been a great experience I now see.

Perhaps it is because I am now older. I am closer to the end of my existence here in this life that I value each day and don’t want to waste any day clouded in whatever crap may be going on in my life. Not that every day has crap in it, but you know what I mean. Just the stresses of life can get to us. We have to have a way, a method to bring the good into our lives, every day, as I see it. Let yesterday’s downers be gone. Start fresh. Be happy. Be joyous. Life is short. Really short when you’re at the age I’m at.

I have learned that I need a routine, a practice at the start of each day to “ground myself.” Focus my mind and thoughts on the joy of life, no matter what may be going on in my life. Once I discovered this truth and committed to it daily, I began experiencing my day in a new way. I elevated my mood, my emotions, my whole life, in essence.

My routine is what many would call a “spiritual practice.” In a sense, I am like a monk in a monetary you could say. I say this because I find great positive results by spending this period at the start of my day doing the things people would term as “spiritual practice.” I spend a period of time in “the silence.” I read positive material. I read good devotional literature. I meditate. I pray. I write. I contemplate, I think, I ponder. I appreciate life, especially this new day, no matter what is going on. I am alive! I am still here. I have love in my life. I live love. I surrender to the mystery of this thing called life, existence. I certainly don’t understand it, but I surrender to it all. And this took many, many decades to find. This place of morning renewal, revival, “born again” ness! Wow, if only I had discovered and realized this way of beginning my day in my early life. I feel that a lot of my suffering experiences would have diminished substantially. Not that everything would have been wonderful and perfect, but a lot of suffering would have been relieved.

So, perhaps the Buddha was on to something by saying (if he actually did) that we are born anew each morning. Jesus also talked about being “born anew,” but not so much in a daily way, but in a basic life orientation of a new heart, way of being. I have no problem with either version of the born-again experience. I have experienced both versions of this. I can’t imagine not having some degree of these in life. There is more to life than just the daily drudgery of living without what Jesus would call “the kingdom” in your life. The world does not satisfy me as it is without the extra inner experience of, well, shall we call it Spirit, God, or as I call it, often, “the Other.”

So, if you want to take the agnostic or atheist path and not deal with the spiritual aspects of what I’m talking about, then be totally secular and just try starting the day each morning with the realization that this is a brand-new day, and I am born again. this day! I will create a new life today.

Wally

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Jesus (“Christ”???) [Post #116]

Well, since I’ve been saying how I like Jesus’s teachings and find living by them to be a good way to live a fulfilling, good life, I thought perhaps it would be a good time to explore who this person was, or who people thought he was. A big question, for sure, no?

So, Yeshua, to use his correct name according to scholars, who was he, or even, was he? For a few years or so in my life I was an atheist-agnostic. I had given up on believing so much of the fundamentalist, evangelical stuff after deep theological and historical study that I proclaimed myself to be an atheist. So, I delved into the atheist and agnostic views of life. I read books claiming that the man Jesus never actually existed. The evidence was that he was hardly even mentioned by historians of the ancient time. Interesting, but not very convincing to me. I think someone lived and did some amazing things to create such a movement that Christianity eventually became. Someone like the legend of Jesus existed, I decided. But what was the true story about this interesting man?

Well, you can study this subject forever and still have that basic question in your mind, just who was this person? So, in this short essay I will basically scan over this subject for an overview of the different perspectives on this question. You can decide where you stand, or, most likely, you have already made up your mind of who Jesus was. Are you a believer? A believer in what, exactly?

So, at the one end of the spectrum, there are some who believe that there never was a man Jesus. A few may take that position. Most people believe there was a wandering, preaching Jesus. Different views developed on who exactly he was. The gospel of John considers him as always existing from the beginning of time. “In the beginning was The Word… He was with God in the beginning.” That’s at the one extreme.

Different groups developed other views of when Jesus became God. Some say he was human but became Divine at his baptism by John the Baptist when the skies opened up. Some say he was never human, he was always Divine. Some say he was half human, half Divine. And on and on the different beliefs went. Some view him as a prophet or sage, a great teacher of spiritual things, but fully human.

So, I’ve been all over the map on this subject. I’ve spent a lot of time in theological study. It’s all interesting, but in the end, to me, I don’t really care how you handle this topic. My point is that this man they call Jesus in these old writings, scriptures had wonderful teachings and insights into the human life on this earth, in the many different cultures. I am more committed to his way of life, his teachings than to anyone else that I’ve studied over my life. The “Christ,” the “Messiah?” A sage, a great teacher? I say, that’s your call. As for the theology about being a sacrifice for our sins, a savior, well, that’s your call, also. That was not his teaching, really. That was the apostle Paul’s teaching. He really developed what became the religion we now call Christianity. You can believe that, also, if you choose.

My point is that you seriously consider and study the Jesus teaching and the stories of the life of this man. Consider what He taught. Consider how he lived. A sinless, perfect Son of God? Your decision how far to go down that line of thought and belief.

I live the Jesus life. I commit to the Jesus life. I recommend the Jesus life. I guess you could say I preach the Jesus life (well, except I really don’t preach, rather “recommend). Jesus the Christ? Ah, the mystery. The mystery of religion. The mystery of all religions. That is my fascination with all of this. The mystery of all life.

Wally

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It’s All Choices in the End [Post #115]

So, my previous blog ended with me saying it all comes down to life being about love and about choice. And I think that really is the way it is. Our choices throughout our life determine so much. We all have things happening to us from the day we are born. We all have what we call our good times and our bad times. If we are honest in looking at life and our world, we see that horrible things happen and exist. Oh, I know there are “spiritual” people that would disagree and say all is wonderful, there’s no such thing as evil in the world, that it’s all how you look at it. Been around those people, those groups. Don’t buy that line of thought and belief, though.

So, we’re born, and in those early years we really don’t have much control over the things in our lives. If we’re lucky, we are born into a good family. Good, loving, caring parents and family members is the ideal. Some people are fortunate to have that in early life and some are not. But as we come along in our childhood. we do have many choices to make every day. Little choices. How to feel, how to react to situations. Every day, choices to make.

Of course, as we grow and mature, we continue making choices all the time. And eventually we begin to make some big choices. Do we do this, do we do that? What do we get involved in? What interests do we give our attention to? Do we think for ourselves, or do we go along with the crowd, our culture, our society? Do we give in to all our urges, do we try “questionable” things (drugs, promiscuous sexual activities, crime, violence, etc.)? Every little (and big) choice takes us somewhere in our journey. We go down this path, we go down that path. And the consequences of all those choices take us somewhere. That somewhere is our life.

So, if you’ve read many of my blogs, you know that, overall, I’ve had and am having a good life. Hence, the title of my blog website ” On the Path; A Wonderful Life” And that is accurate. I have had a wonderful life. I’ve accomplished my dreams in so many ways. I’m satisfied how it has all turned out. And now I see how it was all a consequence of the many choices I have made all along the way. Millions of choices through the years since my birth.

Of course, not all of my choices were good. I made some bad choices and suffered the consequences, just as everyone does. But you know what? I self-corrected. I did not go off in the wrong direction for very long before I came to my senses and realized that this is not the way to go. I’m very thankful that I was guided to a better way before too long. Yes, I feel that I was guided. What does that mean? Is there a God? Is it watching over me and nudging me, some or all of the time? Deep questions, huh? I think so. A “higher self?” A god of a particular religion? Angels, spirits, energies?

I ended my previous blog talking about my knowing that there is a “something.” And that knowing all of life is about love. That there is good, and that there is bad, really bad in life. And there is choice, which is what this blog post is about. The choices that make up our life. So, at this point in my life, what do I have to say as I reflect on the subject of choice and love and living a good life?

I asked, “how will you live? How do you live?” And I suggested examining Jesus’ teachings. And the Kingdom of God. And I said it is within you (the Kingdom of God), if you choose. I didn’t mean that in a “preaching” way, as a “Bible thumper or fundamentalist, evangelical-type Christian way. More like in a philosophical, metaphysical, spiritual way.

As I’ve said, our life turns out to be a result of our choices as we live. I’m advocating that we think about our choices more consciously, more deliberately. And, yes, I’m advocating that we study and consider seriously Jesus’ teachings.

His teachings were all about a relationship with what he called God. We may have other terms we may use. As I’ve said, I often use the term “the something,” since I don’t want a rigid and closed definition and conception of “God.”

Jesus’ teachings work for me. Yes, there are other saints and prophets and sages and teachers, but I find Jesus’ teachings are great, life-altering if we let them be. I find that it is possible to experience the Kingdom of God that Jesus spoke of. That was his message, as I see it, “don’t look here, don’t look there… the Kingdom is within you!” Open up to the spiritual dimension, I say, and experience “God,” “The Kingdom.” That’s how to live. And live love, with Jesus as your example. It works. It’s how I choose to live. Another good choice, as I see it.

Wally

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The One True Religion [Post # 114]

Well, that title should get your attention. The one true religion. In one short essay I shall resolve the big question of What is the true religion. There are hundreds of religions, you know. Ever wonder which one is the real one. Can’t all be the one true religion, right. Right. So….

You have probably sensed from my blogs that I do have a great curiosity of things religious, spiritual, or other-worldly, beyond the veil, as they say. Well, you are correct. A quick overview of my “theological” adventures and studies may help you in understanding this essay on finding the one “true” religion.

Some of the major religions of the world… but many more….

My family was not really a religious family. We did say grace at dinnertime, and I was taught to say my prayers at bedtime, “now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep,,,,” But that was it. The kids were sent to Sunday school. We atternded church because my dad liked the minister because he was a big football fan. But the really “religious” stuff, well, that was not important or talked about. My father told me about the many phony ministers he knew in his life, etc. So, we attended church because the minister was a sports fan. And when the minister left and a new one came, that was the end of church attendance for us.

I had a lot of frustrations and problems with my childhood at home and one day in my teens I had a breakthrough of sorts. I had what I would call a “come to Jesus” moment that broke open a new outlook on things in my life. I got in touch with the possibility of a life beyond the rather unpleasant (at times) material world I grew up in. That moment started me on a quest to discover if here was more to life than the merely “visible” life I was experiencing.

I got involved in a church group with friends at high school. I attended church and youth groups and socialized with my church friends. After high school and a year of doing different jobs, I decided to go to college, I picked a Christian college a couple of friends were attending and off I went to college in Seattle, Washington. It was an interesting time, and I really enjoyed it. At the end of my four years there, I decided to go on to graduate school at a theological seminary. I enjoyed that experience also.

I left seminary after one year and eventually began my thirty-three-year career in aviation with an airline. I never lost my interest and curiosity with things religious and spiritual during my work life. I went through different phases of being a church member and losing my previous faith and being an agnostic and atheist for a time. Always studying and continuing my education, I became knowledgeable of the many religions and spiritualities out there in the world. It became a bit overwhelming as there are so many different religions in existence, all claiming (well, most claiming) to be “The” religion, the one true religion.

I’ve found a lot of good stuff in various religions. I’ve found a lot of what I would call bad stuff in various religions. Any study of history reveals how horrible many religious movements have been over the years. And I mean horrible. So, being a student of history and of religion and philosophy and science, how do we put this all together? What is the answer? What is the truth? How are we to live? What the $%@&^ is it all about?

I’ve found the one true religion. Yes, it may have taken a long lifetime, but I have found it. I have found that the one true religion is the “mystery.” Yes, the “mystery” of life. You think you have it all figured out? Hmmm…. You know what? You won’t know till it’s all over! Then you will know (if there’s something beyond, something “other” than the visible world we’ve been living in). Or, the alternative is, you won’t know, if there is nothing after death, just nonexistence (which some would say is truth). So, yes, it’s a mystery until we move beyond this dimension. Oh, yeah, we all have our ideas. Our faiths, our speculations, our “certainties.” Our intuitions.

I know. There are people that have an awareness of an existence before birth. There are those who have other “mystical” experiences. Near death experiences. Past life remembrances. Yes, and I have had my “otherworldly” experiences. What to make of it all? Like I said, it is a mystery. I live (and I would say we all live) in the mystery.

One thing I know is that there is a “something.” I know that all of life, if one is awake and aware, is love. Love is what life really is. I do not deny evil, bad, horribleness. Life is horrible in so many ways. But there is also the opposite. There is good. There is love. There is choice. It does come down to choice. How will/do you live? Examine Jesus’ teachings. The Kingdom of God. It’s within you. If you choose.

Wally

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It Ain’t Over Till It’s Over [Post # 113]

Well, following up on my recent blog on retirement and the joy I’m experiencing being retired, I’m having many thoughts about this stage of life. I mentioned that some people do not necessarily enjoy being retired (the “go getters,” those that have lots of energy, ambition, can’t sit still for a minute people) and others (like myself) just love retirement. Two different perspectives on this period of our lives.

Well, even those enjoying retirement have to have something to keep them going. Keep them alive, vibrant, interesting and interested, active to some degree. To just stop, give up on activities and interactions and some kind of social life is not good or healthy, I think. So, what keeps us going? What inspires us, what sustains us?

My life has been great. A success, I’d say. Ready to die, move on to something else if there’s something else? No, I don’t think so. I’m feeling there’s more right here, in this life, to do. I feel a strong feeling that there’s more to do. Is God or the life force leading me on to more? Perhaps something new and different? Well, let’s find out, I say. What’s next in this game of life?

One new direction I’ve taken these past few years is my writing. My inspiration to start blogging, sharing my thoughts and feelings and life story has been a new experience. A little scary at first, I did just plunge ahead and did it. It’s been satisfying and educational for me. It’s a learning experience for me if nothing else. And it has let people how unique, ok, weird, I really am.

So, it’s not over. What’s next? Well, I figure I will continue with writing. We’ll see where that goes. I’d like to write a book or two, but I don’t think I have the patience to endure that large of a project. Are there things I’ve put off in my earlier years that I feel like pursuing now? Nothing comes to mind. I’ve done a lot of traveling. Seen a lot of the world. Very satisfied in that arena.

I am pursuing my educational interests, my continuing education; lifelong learning in fields of interest and some new areas. We’ll see where that goes. I’m interested in the deeper things of life rather than the more superficial things most of our society is obsessed with. So many people just full of prejudices and rigid opinions and susceptible to cults, charismatic leaders, etc. Sick of it all. But I am interested in researching and exposing the crap of these people, organizations, etc. I guess I am a “truth seeker” at heart. Always have been. Just want to live a true life. Be truth is my motto.

As to what “sustains me,” well, that’s an interesting question. Like I said, truth seeking obsesses me. Getting out in nature sustains and enlivens me. Beauty enthralls me. Good relationships, good friends excite me. Starting each day anew is thrilling. Having time to contemplate and be alone in personal spiritual practice gets the day going in the right direction. Inspiration comes in unexpected moments. I have learned to just “go with the flow.” I just “let it be,” and see where it goes.

So, we live a long life, and there’s still more to go. I think that’s exciting! So many friends didn’t get this far. Cut down in the midst of life, as they say. I do appreciate that I’ve come this far. Much further than I ever expected. Outlived my mother by almost twenty years and have almost outlived my father. I’m thrilled about this.

As my blog title states, it ain’t over till it’s over. I’m thankful it is not over yet. I hope I have a lot more discovering, exploring, and enjoying of life. My curiosity does keep me busy, moving forward. I can’t let the crap of the world get me down. I can’t control a lot of life, but I can control my mind, my thinking, my personal space and environment. My connection to the real source of life. Hope you can say the same and see it that way. What’s the saying? “Go with God!” Whatever that means to you, however you see it. It’s the best way to live.

Wally