Sannhetseeker

I wonder if the following events are more examples of fragility of reality as we know it? During Yeshua/Jesus' baptism one reads in Mark of a tearing of reality: "and the heavens rent asunder (a rift appears)." Mark 1:10. Upon his death one reads in Mark that a "temple" was torn open: "And the veil of the temple was rent in twain (a rift appears - torn in two) from the top to the bottom." Now of course, no one knows if these rifts truly were visible. Regardless, whether real or metaphor, both... Sign in to see full entry.

Meister Eckhart was a member of the Dominican Order who held senior ecclesiastical and teaching position all over Europe. Born in 1260 and died in 1326, Meister Eckhart was and is one of the most revered of all Christian mystics. The following are some quotes that point to why he is so well respected: God is one. God is pure oneness, being free of any accretive multiplicity of distinction even at a conceptual level. [Divine Consolation] There is neither distinction in God nor in the Persons of... Sign in to see full entry.

So, is knowing "God" or having a relationship with "God" really possible? Mystics from the three main faiths, as well as respected leaders of those churches, both past and present, state that one can’t know “God”. Other respected church leaders, both past and present, state that one can know “God” like one knows a friend or a brother. The word “know” means "to be acquainted with". So to know “God” is to be acquainted with “God”. Okay, but that doesn’t hold a deep enough meaning to really mean... Sign in to see full entry.

Mystics and religious leaders have written extensively about experiencing union with “God”. While the experience is very real, and available to anyone wishing to put forth the work, “union with ‘God’” or “reaching oneness with ‘God’” does not mean that one will understand “God”. Whether reading various mystics or ancient documents, the message is very clear: one can never understand “God”. Common to all three main faiths mystical traditions, “God” is ineffable. “God” is incapable of description.... Sign in to see full entry.

So, Scott Peterson, who (circumstantial evidence tells us) killed his wife and unborn child (though I do think he was guilty), has been sentenced to death. A man, born and raised in a supposedly Christian country, will be executed for his crimes. It saddens me to see such barbaric actions done under the guise of justice. Justice means to be fair. And for some, since he killed his wife and unborn child, fairness is meting out the same treatment. But no one except “God” should have the ability to... Sign in to see full entry.

Why is it so hard for some to believe that we have the ability to do what Yeshua/Jesus did? The works that Jesus/Yeshua did (healings, miracles, etc.) are available to us to do just as he did. He said so himself in John 14:12: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater [works] than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.” What is so confusing about this statement? It seems to me that Yeshua/Jesus is pretty clear: believe in... Sign in to see full entry.

If one studies mysticism, Buddhism, Islam, some greek religions and even shamanism, it is interesting to note that the concept of ascension, of an internal, psychic, soul or conscious ascent toward "God" where union is possible, is a prominent experience in each. Buddhists call this idea of ascension reaching nirvana. Christian, Jews and Muslims all it a union with "God". The Prophet Muhammad is said to have had an ascension experience. St. Augustine, Gregory of Myssa and Denys, as well as... Sign in to see full entry.

As one of many who understand that Yeshua/Jesus was not born on Dec. 25th and that Christmas is really based in pagan rituals, one could ask why I would then celebrate this holiday? I celebrate because I have to. With all of the chaos in the world, with the wars in foreign countries, the genocide in Rwanda again, Muslim extremists killing innocent people, Aids leaving thousands of children orphaned in Africa, countless thousands of homeless in America, while Christmas may not be a celebration of... Sign in to see full entry.

I've seen a few articles recently (and a post or two here in Blogit) regarding the rights of Christians at Christmas time (and other times). And I am firmly in favor of allowing any Christian to sign carols at school, wear Christmas-themed clothes etc., as long as all other religious requests are honored as well. In that vein, and since I am Norwegian, let's look at the ancient Norse Christmas-like holiday... Jul - Dec. 20 - 31. A festival of 12 nights, the Jul is the most important all of Norse... Sign in to see full entry.

If one reads the various mystics (Christian, Jewish, Muslim, etc.), one finds that each and every one of them speaks to reaching “God” from within. Their message: through introspection (contemplation), hard spiritual work and love, one can become one with “God”. And for all of them, love is the key. Love is the key to “God”. I believe this is why Yeshua/Jesus spoke of his two commandments being the only commandments to follow: Love God with all of your heart (the great commandment) and love your... Sign in to see full entry.