When going through and reading about the various three paradoxes in the text: Asceticism/Activism, Pessimism/Idealism, Human/Divine it opened up me to an awareness in my reading to take a look at various situations in life and the roads in which I've traveled, lived and walked in and on. How precious is a text, especially if you have not stopped to take a look at the meaning behind a word and how it may define two worlds or points of view.
This whole move, relocating and beginning course work, while remaining “present” while taking care of home, mortgage, bills and life in Houston which is the paradox in itself can create a very physical feeling of being in two worlds, but always in the knowing and clear assurance - this is where I am to be.
Often, according to various places and times we may find ourselves with “straddling two worlds” this can create a time of a multitude of feelings around the subject matter and lead to an overwhelming feeling. We are never alone in a process or in a given situation although it is very individual there is a universal thread that is common ground and familiar to many.
It is in the recognition that when we are in this place that we can shift either to one side or the other...or simply be happy to rest in one. But, Hooray! We have the tools and are gaining more tools to discern where we may be in an area and recognize it.
Remembering the lenses that we see bring in a view that can only by seen by what we bring from the collected life experience we have had. I like to see it as not clouded by an intense formal dialog of subject matter for the sake of using big words, but a place to do an examination of where you stand in any area throughout a subject and see where you land. A Good exercise. Then, take a look. However, it is obvious that most of us live in primarily in one or the other. When Dr. Tom asked "How shall we live in an imperfect world of imperfect people?" I thought this as a good place to be in examination mode within ourselves and to work our skills to see where we and others may be coming from at a given time and "adjust" along the way. A teacher many years ago said to a class I was in "adjust your lenses to a wider view and take it all in." Our lenses change over time as do our experiences and life and I can appreciate a wider view.
As theologians, we are in the state at this time of interpreting from our understanding point, correlating what affects one has on the other and assessing the value of each lesson and experience along the way.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Theological Snapshot
I’ve arrived at a point that feels more comfortable than I have ever been in my life. Now that comfort seems to be disrupted as change occurs again. This is Good. In this place, I feel comforted and have arrived at place that appreciates the embedded theology of my life; the God of Childhood; the Bible and religion as a basis of early understanding with so much more to uncover. I am much like a child again learning to walk, except this time I get to bring along many experiences from the years before.
I have been able to prove time and again for myself that an effort to dig in as fiercely as I rest with the unearthing has brought about so much more peace than the world of living with a puppet master.
So much ability in the outcome of my own destiny has given me both feelings of great accomplishment and also brought up at times, levels of fear. Occasionally, the association of “God” can give me brief glimpses of a ruler, a cloudy heaven and sometimes an authoritative figure that passes judgement. Depending on where I may be coming from at that moment, it is brief and thankfully fleeding, but the appreciation of the old remains as I can relate to where so many come from in their current level of consciousness. I believe it is a gift to be able to relate, and speak to a shift in consciousness and thought provoking evolution. I have come to realize and acknowledge the embedded theology and grow from it. It is like a reoccurring dream of the past except I now know what to do with it.
Although, so much of the embedded theology that many live from comes from an early example of Church, Sunday school, preachers, ministers, teachers, parents and grandparents, I grew up with a conflicting view from the leaders and examples.
The church was preaching the “fear of God” and “joy to the Lord” just as the text How to Think Theologically mentions. I had this going on while the actions of my mother and father were distressed and grandparents were either laid back or judgmental. I am grateful for it all! It, for me, helped to develop a true cross section of the metaphysical way in which we all can be in our own lives and within ourselves everyday.
Today is new day. What will I discover today? I am continuing the exploration of my own beliefs and look forward to questioning. I fall in love with the discovery. I smile as I find hidden treasures uncovered every time I pass upon a portion, a scripture or assigned text that gives me pause. Just when I think the work seems so challenging and I dig into it (usually in “over thinking it”) I then say to myself...Ahhhh. It’s like the proverbial “light bulb” comes on and the thoughts of how perfectly aligned and clear everything becomes. God as redefined for me as Source and Absolute Good, has re-framed the old theology to a current and more precise word for me.
The Source is revealed everyday and I am grateful.
I have been able to prove time and again for myself that an effort to dig in as fiercely as I rest with the unearthing has brought about so much more peace than the world of living with a puppet master.
So much ability in the outcome of my own destiny has given me both feelings of great accomplishment and also brought up at times, levels of fear. Occasionally, the association of “God” can give me brief glimpses of a ruler, a cloudy heaven and sometimes an authoritative figure that passes judgement. Depending on where I may be coming from at that moment, it is brief and thankfully fleeding, but the appreciation of the old remains as I can relate to where so many come from in their current level of consciousness. I believe it is a gift to be able to relate, and speak to a shift in consciousness and thought provoking evolution. I have come to realize and acknowledge the embedded theology and grow from it. It is like a reoccurring dream of the past except I now know what to do with it.
Although, so much of the embedded theology that many live from comes from an early example of Church, Sunday school, preachers, ministers, teachers, parents and grandparents, I grew up with a conflicting view from the leaders and examples.
The church was preaching the “fear of God” and “joy to the Lord” just as the text How to Think Theologically mentions. I had this going on while the actions of my mother and father were distressed and grandparents were either laid back or judgmental. I am grateful for it all! It, for me, helped to develop a true cross section of the metaphysical way in which we all can be in our own lives and within ourselves everyday.
Today is new day. What will I discover today? I am continuing the exploration of my own beliefs and look forward to questioning. I fall in love with the discovery. I smile as I find hidden treasures uncovered every time I pass upon a portion, a scripture or assigned text that gives me pause. Just when I think the work seems so challenging and I dig into it (usually in “over thinking it”) I then say to myself...Ahhhh. It’s like the proverbial “light bulb” comes on and the thoughts of how perfectly aligned and clear everything becomes. God as redefined for me as Source and Absolute Good, has re-framed the old theology to a current and more precise word for me.
The Source is revealed everyday and I am grateful.
Monday, September 24, 2012
...and the Journey continues in Peace
In the theology of my youth and even young adulthood, doing work was just that- Doing work!
Taking a nice run was simply cardiovascular exercise.
So much has changed! When we see, truly see the gifts in front of us we can create magical experiences at every turn. The choice is yours. What will you create today?
Today in this most sacred place Unity Village, Missouri, I unboxed my final few arrivals to settle into my new one room home. What a difference it is when you realize how much you really "don't need."
It is a process though and coming to terms with various attachments it is so easy to release some things while others, well, will take more work.
So, I worked on a class assignment, distracted by the Peaceful surroundings. Not a TV, a freeway, cars running up and down the street, children playing at the school...No, none of that from my home. I was distracted by the sheer peace. The still silence. The amazing silence. This distracted from my reading. So, I bargained. "One more chapter, get your essay in rough from and you can go and run into the fields and embrace the peace and joy around the campus!
Just before dark. I put on my running shoes and left. I love giving myself a target and a reward, and what a reward it was!
No less than two blocks out a large stag met me center of the road. You know this is not in the norm of my usual Houston, TX run path. I smiled and kept moving toward him. He looked surprised and waited. He eventually huffed and bounced away a few feet and stopped again to look at this funny human running. The rest of the herd had the same reaction. The look of surprise and stillness with a wonder of "what is he running to or from?" I laughed and smiled as I went by. How blessed to be here at this time in my life embracing all that is around me. Deepening my study and also the interactions with wildlife which also serve me and my joy and laughter at the thought of where I am and what this path will bring.
I returned home after a two mile run and rested as I walked the labyrinth. Darkness came and still the peace within my soul was lifted. This space is a physical manifestation perception of heaven that one coud easily relate too. Heaven is upon us. I think so. For me, Yes.
Upon returning, I sat a while to reflect on this expereince and picked up a little book a dear frend gave to me as a going away gift.
The opening text was this "May you go out in joy and be led forth with peace; may the mountains ad the hills burst in song before you. and may all the tress of the field clap their hands." Isaiah 55:12
How beautful and fitting. That, my friend was my experience this day. May you also find the laughter, joy and peace in your day too. Blessings and Love - Iter Nostrum
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Douglas
Taking a nice run was simply cardiovascular exercise.
So much has changed! When we see, truly see the gifts in front of us we can create magical experiences at every turn. The choice is yours. What will you create today?
Today in this most sacred place Unity Village, Missouri, I unboxed my final few arrivals to settle into my new one room home. What a difference it is when you realize how much you really "don't need."
It is a process though and coming to terms with various attachments it is so easy to release some things while others, well, will take more work.
So, I worked on a class assignment, distracted by the Peaceful surroundings. Not a TV, a freeway, cars running up and down the street, children playing at the school...No, none of that from my home. I was distracted by the sheer peace. The still silence. The amazing silence. This distracted from my reading. So, I bargained. "One more chapter, get your essay in rough from and you can go and run into the fields and embrace the peace and joy around the campus!
Just before dark. I put on my running shoes and left. I love giving myself a target and a reward, and what a reward it was!
No less than two blocks out a large stag met me center of the road. You know this is not in the norm of my usual Houston, TX run path. I smiled and kept moving toward him. He looked surprised and waited. He eventually huffed and bounced away a few feet and stopped again to look at this funny human running. The rest of the herd had the same reaction. The look of surprise and stillness with a wonder of "what is he running to or from?" I laughed and smiled as I went by. How blessed to be here at this time in my life embracing all that is around me. Deepening my study and also the interactions with wildlife which also serve me and my joy and laughter at the thought of where I am and what this path will bring.
I returned home after a two mile run and rested as I walked the labyrinth. Darkness came and still the peace within my soul was lifted. This space is a physical manifestation perception of heaven that one coud easily relate too. Heaven is upon us. I think so. For me, Yes.
Upon returning, I sat a while to reflect on this expereince and picked up a little book a dear frend gave to me as a going away gift.
The opening text was this "May you go out in joy and be led forth with peace; may the mountains ad the hills burst in song before you. and may all the tress of the field clap their hands." Isaiah 55:12
How beautful and fitting. That, my friend was my experience this day. May you also find the laughter, joy and peace in your day too. Blessings and Love - Iter Nostrum
.jpg)
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