Can you love something if you don't understand it?
I have been reading several fascinating books recently as I search for the answers to my questions about the divine being.
In the bible we read over and over again that we are to praise God and worship him. As I watch people's all over the world do their version of praise and worship it leaves me wondering how I am to internalize this. Let's say for the sake of argument that there is one divine being that created us and if this is so, then how does the divine being want to be loved?
If the greatest law of the bible is what Jesus was quoted as saying "Love" - including Loving God and Loving your fellow humans - well this brings me back to my question, how?
How do I know my creator?
How do I love our creator?
Do I have conversations with him? (I have to use him or her right?) Is God a male or a female or a perfect combination of both and so much more?
How do I listen to him?
How do I know what is really true?
OK, so not a bunch of new questions for so many - but for me I am questioning how I can know God so that I can love God perfectly. Each society thinks the God that they worship is the true God or God(s) as it is in some places. Yet how much peace has resulted from this possessive belief? If we are all so convinced that we are right than how open can we be to new information which carries truth in it? If we are convinced that our truth is the only truth - than we are judging that another's truth is false. I guess that is a natural human conclusion.
So in contrast to where I live and how I was raised I look at Buddha and what his message was as he came out of the existing Hinduim religeon of his people with multiple Gods. Here was a man that preached Noble Truths and taught people to disregard the traditions of their families and society and search for truth instead. Long story short - most everything he taught after his enlightenment has been misinterpreted just as the teachings of all leaders throughout time in all lands throughout the world.
He did not want to be worshipped - yet most of his followers do worship him and have idols made to do so - which in fact is the very opposite of everything he stood for.
If you read about World Religeons Buddhism is listed among them and then there are several described splits such as Theravada and Mahayana and their further divided schools of thought. I could go on and on about the many different branches of varying Buddhist philosophies - but the point is that no matter how great a teacher or being - mankind cannot agree on how to love and honor them.
So we have God and the son of God (Jesus) in the bible that we are supposed to worship - yet we do not agree on how that is to be done either - and we have many other religeons and teachings with other supreme beings - none of which we can see, touch or feel today.
So again - I believe in order to worship and adore and praise God - I must know his character, his likes and dislikes, what he wants me to do and be and think and feel.
Does anybody know God?
Are we afraid to know God?
Do we fear he is all about Do's and Don'ts?
Are we concerned that maybe he wants us to give up something we cherish or perhaps we dread finding out what he really wants us to do? So maybe we don't really want to know who he is or is not - because we'd rather just keep on living the way we are and we don't want him to cramp our style? Hmmm... I think soul searching is in order. Do we really want to know our creator?
More thoughts to come...
Monday, May 10, 2010
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Facebook heals humanity - if we all let it...
As time continues on and friends and family continue to join the happy throng of Facebook, I ponder their original hesitance in joining. Then I celebrate their eventual connectivity on the site - one by one - as they realize - we are all one.
While the world is choosing to reconnect with itself through various social media - it is obviously a positive ability to freely express one's self, research lost friends and loved ones and even consider reconnecting with people that we might not have had a very pleasant ending with (at some time in our lives). We have the collective opportunity to mend any fences, shorten the communication distance and once again allow our minds to meld and mesh and refresh past relationships, one-by-one. A chance to recognize our commonality even while recognizing and accepting our varied and unique differences.
Initially, some fear losing their privacy. They shutter the thought of allowing others to know who they know and what they like and what they spend their time doing. What are we all so worried about? Do we have a false sense of security? Do we believe hiding is even possible? Do we really want to avoid being known or found?
Folks soon discover that they can choose to be "private" or "public" and "show what they want to show" and "accept" or "invite" who they want to. It might be worth considering why we choose to be such private people. Why we worry so much about our privacy. Do we understand that there is no shortage of detailed information readily available about each of us - that is bought and sold by those we'd least want to have it. I'm not referring to old friends and acquaintances such as we have on facebook. If we are worried about the government or some entity finding out facts about our lives from facebook - well we were just born at the wrong time in history. Our government and corporations have the full ability to gain amazing amounts of details about each of our lives - and without the help of any social media. Not that they aren't happily adding to what they already have and know - but do we really think we can hide from them by not being on facebook? Are we so naive to believe that the movies we choose to go see and the TV shows we tune into and the books that we buy and the food that we enjoy and the cars that we drive and the places that we live and the churches we attend and the donations that we contribute - not to mention our tax returns - do we really think this information is not compiled and available to the highest bidder? Of course it is. You can value your "privacy" - but it is more a "notion in your head" - than a reality in the world that we all live in together.
So, I say - be a friend to every friend and every foe you have every had. Enjoy humanity - and contribute to it in every way that you can. Share your mind and your heart and your knowledge and wisdom - your insights and yes, the love that you have inside of you. Be an asset to your friends. Be truthful with yourself. Don't live in the box you once believed was sealed and safe. Don't suffocate in there. Live! Breathe in the fresh air of combined humanity. Contribute through sharing. If you aren't able to reach out - why exist? If people you have known can't find you - are you happier somehow? Are you fearful of being found? Are you better off hiding and securing your "privacy" and sheltering yourself from people who might want to know too much about you? Are we afraid? Of course we are. But - people fear that which they do not understand. Understand this... you can run - but you cannot hide. You can choose to move on with your life and leave the past behind - but that doesn't mean the past didn't happen. We all make mistakes. Life is for living. We each have different experiences and enjoy our own unique perception of reality. If you aren't enjoying Facebook yet, is it your loss?
Facebook could be the biggest re-connector and healer of our time. Do you believe? Do you forgive? The time has come to let bygones be bygones - and to live each moment with awareness, seeking truth in relationships rather than self-deception or delusion. Choose to care more about your fellow human than yourself. Reject prejudice - no matter what you were taught or once believed. Practice tolerance - because we are not here living together on this earthly plain to be intolerant of each other - we are here to love one another completely. To forgive those that have hurt us and to move on with peace and happiness - together. Get closer to each other. Embrace one another and love...
Facebook is changing how we relate to people. Also, who we connect with that we otherwise might never run into or really have the opportunity to communicate with. Whether it is distance that has kept us apart or a job change, or any number of circumstances that creates space and time between hellos. Facebook is an opportunity to reconnect with so many different types of relationships including past childhood friends, classmates, co-workers and bosses, brethren, friends and family and the list goes on...
It is a wonderful moment when you receive an invite from a long lost pal - who went through the trouble to look you up and invite you back into their lives. You already have some type of a past together - now you also have a future - through communication and reconnecting. Sure, there are times, you just have to "hide" a friend's comments because you really don't want to see what they are thinking about. But, the choice is yours. The options are abundant - and yours. The convenience is at your fingertips.
Allies are better than enemies. We are all here - right now - together. Collective knowledge has power. Have you heard "it's who you know"? Well, maybe - just maybe there is some truth in that - and now we are all equally empowered to communicate in a fun and casual environment with those that we know and have ever known.
Let the healing continue...
While the world is choosing to reconnect with itself through various social media - it is obviously a positive ability to freely express one's self, research lost friends and loved ones and even consider reconnecting with people that we might not have had a very pleasant ending with (at some time in our lives). We have the collective opportunity to mend any fences, shorten the communication distance and once again allow our minds to meld and mesh and refresh past relationships, one-by-one. A chance to recognize our commonality even while recognizing and accepting our varied and unique differences.
Initially, some fear losing their privacy. They shutter the thought of allowing others to know who they know and what they like and what they spend their time doing. What are we all so worried about? Do we have a false sense of security? Do we believe hiding is even possible? Do we really want to avoid being known or found?
Folks soon discover that they can choose to be "private" or "public" and "show what they want to show" and "accept" or "invite" who they want to. It might be worth considering why we choose to be such private people. Why we worry so much about our privacy. Do we understand that there is no shortage of detailed information readily available about each of us - that is bought and sold by those we'd least want to have it. I'm not referring to old friends and acquaintances such as we have on facebook. If we are worried about the government or some entity finding out facts about our lives from facebook - well we were just born at the wrong time in history. Our government and corporations have the full ability to gain amazing amounts of details about each of our lives - and without the help of any social media. Not that they aren't happily adding to what they already have and know - but do we really think we can hide from them by not being on facebook? Are we so naive to believe that the movies we choose to go see and the TV shows we tune into and the books that we buy and the food that we enjoy and the cars that we drive and the places that we live and the churches we attend and the donations that we contribute - not to mention our tax returns - do we really think this information is not compiled and available to the highest bidder? Of course it is. You can value your "privacy" - but it is more a "notion in your head" - than a reality in the world that we all live in together.
So, I say - be a friend to every friend and every foe you have every had. Enjoy humanity - and contribute to it in every way that you can. Share your mind and your heart and your knowledge and wisdom - your insights and yes, the love that you have inside of you. Be an asset to your friends. Be truthful with yourself. Don't live in the box you once believed was sealed and safe. Don't suffocate in there. Live! Breathe in the fresh air of combined humanity. Contribute through sharing. If you aren't able to reach out - why exist? If people you have known can't find you - are you happier somehow? Are you fearful of being found? Are you better off hiding and securing your "privacy" and sheltering yourself from people who might want to know too much about you? Are we afraid? Of course we are. But - people fear that which they do not understand. Understand this... you can run - but you cannot hide. You can choose to move on with your life and leave the past behind - but that doesn't mean the past didn't happen. We all make mistakes. Life is for living. We each have different experiences and enjoy our own unique perception of reality. If you aren't enjoying Facebook yet, is it your loss?
Facebook could be the biggest re-connector and healer of our time. Do you believe? Do you forgive? The time has come to let bygones be bygones - and to live each moment with awareness, seeking truth in relationships rather than self-deception or delusion. Choose to care more about your fellow human than yourself. Reject prejudice - no matter what you were taught or once believed. Practice tolerance - because we are not here living together on this earthly plain to be intolerant of each other - we are here to love one another completely. To forgive those that have hurt us and to move on with peace and happiness - together. Get closer to each other. Embrace one another and love...
Facebook is changing how we relate to people. Also, who we connect with that we otherwise might never run into or really have the opportunity to communicate with. Whether it is distance that has kept us apart or a job change, or any number of circumstances that creates space and time between hellos. Facebook is an opportunity to reconnect with so many different types of relationships including past childhood friends, classmates, co-workers and bosses, brethren, friends and family and the list goes on...
It is a wonderful moment when you receive an invite from a long lost pal - who went through the trouble to look you up and invite you back into their lives. You already have some type of a past together - now you also have a future - through communication and reconnecting. Sure, there are times, you just have to "hide" a friend's comments because you really don't want to see what they are thinking about. But, the choice is yours. The options are abundant - and yours. The convenience is at your fingertips.
Allies are better than enemies. We are all here - right now - together. Collective knowledge has power. Have you heard "it's who you know"? Well, maybe - just maybe there is some truth in that - and now we are all equally empowered to communicate in a fun and casual environment with those that we know and have ever known.
Let the healing continue...
Friday, June 19, 2009
1st Blog ever
This is a personal blog - not a business blog. That is the most difficult ongoing challenge for me to distinguish in my online social media existence. When am I being an individual and when am I representing my company and recruiting? So, alas RebekionLogic is personal.
Clarissa is heading up to the lake with a friend today...it is amazing how time flies. Not long ago, I had to drive her everywhere and pack for her. Now she has everything planned and takes what she needs - and off she goes. Truly amazing. While I take joy in seeing her blossom into adulthood - I miss the little girl she once was from time to time. I'll get over it. She is a wonderful human.
Chris is over in Eastern Oregon camping in the wilderness for a few days. I am sure he is experiencing bliss and enlightenment.
Rick has a gig every day this weekend with the Rogue Suspects. He is in music heaven, as usual.
I am looking for an end to this recession, so life can resume to normal. Wouldn't that be nice?
Well, this is a bit of an experiment - this blog and such - so I'll keep this one short (don't have a heart attack that I didn't write a novel this time)...
Clarissa is heading up to the lake with a friend today...it is amazing how time flies. Not long ago, I had to drive her everywhere and pack for her. Now she has everything planned and takes what she needs - and off she goes. Truly amazing. While I take joy in seeing her blossom into adulthood - I miss the little girl she once was from time to time. I'll get over it. She is a wonderful human.
Chris is over in Eastern Oregon camping in the wilderness for a few days. I am sure he is experiencing bliss and enlightenment.
Rick has a gig every day this weekend with the Rogue Suspects. He is in music heaven, as usual.
I am looking for an end to this recession, so life can resume to normal. Wouldn't that be nice?
Well, this is a bit of an experiment - this blog and such - so I'll keep this one short (don't have a heart attack that I didn't write a novel this time)...
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