Common sense

At what point should we give up our common sense for a belief? - never.

A belief should be practical and not be totally subjective. We have both an objective and subjective brain for a reason. The bible states by their fruits you shall know them. We are also told the blind should not lead the blind. He who has an ear let them hear. Touch not the unclean thing. So, we are to use all of our senses before tasting.

If you see something that just doesn't look or feel right - it probably is not right. Some beliefs will try to woo you with uncertainty in your basic senses, then evoke a mystery. The harmful belief systems usually involve a spider, a fly and a web. One thing to always remember- it is your house or mind, in the end your the one who allows any guests to enter. Believing strongly that we are all different in faith and character. Accepting that we are all unique does not mean there is no evil out there. The spider can weave a web of uncertainty. Then evoke a mystery not all all mysteries lead to truth , some lead to lies. Which is why we have eyes to see, ears to hear, nose to smell and touch to feel. Really common sense is a combination of all the senses to come to a rational conclusion.

My life has led me to mystical experiences but they have always been in accordance with the search for truth. Christian mystics are followers of  Christ. Yes - meditation is a part of living a life of inner peace, but when we empty the mind of unclean thoughts we also fill the mind with good ones.
We often say we are going beyond or becoming mindful. Really the christian life should also be practical. Anything that departs from practical living does not produce good fruit. We practice detachment but we also attach to a healthy and joyful life. Fasting till you die is not practical , since life is a precious gift. Fasting for lent or a special goal usually is a joyful not miserable experience.

Conclusion is we should not taste something until common sense is applied. What is the end goal to disappear from reality or go beyond to bring something back that will make reality better.

Abstinence should also include a path to substance.

Peace.
Earl.

Nature

Nature is full of beauty and bounty. Today I went up into the mountains where we have a cabin. Usually go there in the spring and part of the summer. After arriving realized I forgot to shop at the store but others were coming later in the day. Collected some dandelions and made a fresh salad and rounded up some other free food, ha ha. Actually felt very good.

When I was a young man spent a year on a deserted Island. Lived off cocoanuts and honey or whatever  else was available. The fish could not be eaten because of the poisonous coral. There was a large cat that once came into my dwelling. It may have been a descendent of a jaguar or maybe a pirates cat. It was very large but I never ate it, and obviously it never ate me. We usually just had a stare down then with a proud gait the cat would just walk away. My hair reached the shoulders and beard my chest - so I was quite a sight when returning to the mainland.

Once I found a sea turtle and it had a tag - which also did not eat but released it. Found a diary of a japanese sailor that committed hari kari a form of suicide rather than starve. Caught water in rain barrels and that is all we had, no rivers or streams. Being up in the mountains brought back those youthful memories. I remember buying a pack of gum when arriving at the mainland, started to chew it and something squirted out. I took it back thinking it was bad and the gentleman laughed saying it was supposed to have that in the gum. Other things changed Jimmy Carter was the president and never even heard of him before.

When I first saw the movie Jaws it reminded me of all the shark encounters that were for real. At night thousands of crabs would be lurking about looking for a meal or a mate. There were tens of thousands of terns and other birds which fascinated me. I specifically remember the guni birds with their red balloons hanging from the chin and long beaks. Overall it was a good experience. 

Here I am in the fast paced world again of computers and technology. Worked in just about every field from robotics to electronics and computer engineering. Now it is nice to go to the cabin and get some fresh air , get away from all the news. Perhaps we overindulge in media and most of it is commercials or infomercials. Nature has its own announcers a stout woodpecker trying to get some grubs out of a tree. A bluejay yelling at another bird fighting for territory. I did notice there is always something going on in nature providing its own amusements.

The lesson that nature taught me was not to have attachments, use things but do not get attached to them.

Yes- it is a beautiful day.

Peace.

Earl.

Time

It isolates me to be not akin to one particular belief system or religion or philosophy. Because those of a feather tend to stick together, yet I am the speckled bird - the phoenix with no particular plumage. Finding we all have the goals of Love and Peace each grasping at whatever will get us there. My experience was quite by accident , God chose to use me in an unusual way. To show that we are each unique in faith and character. Even those that do not believe in anything or had taken another path perhaps academics in a particular field and had not the time to contemplate.

Time - whatever the course , time is so valuable. In the business world they say time is money. In the world that is what is valued. In reality time is the beginning and the end, the Alpha and Omega. We were given life in essence time. It was not the intention to keep it hidden away or convert time to money. Time was to be given back , our lives to the benefit of humanity. Keeping time to ourselves is greed. Time is not a commodity but a gift.

Thank you God for the gift of life, for howbeit this time. I pray it not be wasted, that it be used wisely.

Peace.
Earl.

The Kiss

  It was an another night of caring for my son and an elder gentlemen who was full of anxiety.
 Reminded of the story of Jesus casting out legion or all the little problems looking like a big one. (post on Legion). As I was resting had a visitation - somewhere between the dream world and reality. A joyful being or spirit came alongside my cheek and gave me a kiss. It was a bit awkward as the little angel  spoke much faster than could be understood. My first impression was on no! not another data transmission. However it was different the angel just kissed me on the cheek and the words plainly understood were  "I love you".
 It was the first time nothing was expected or a volume of information was given. Such a simple message and something that was needed. Not sure why God uses ministering spirits but they are very real.

Peace.
Earl.

Boston Chaos

Recently hearing about the tragedy in Boston and also in Texas. What was supposed to be a healthy and happy event was attacked. In Texas what was a rural and safe environment was attacked. This kind of chaos happens at least weekly throughout the world.  A lot of it goes unreported and sometimes it happens in modern society or in tribal society. What is the cause ? Chaos.

Where there is no light there is chaos. The young men involved were not ignorant as some may think. Their actions were caused by deliberate chaos from spiritual forces. It is often a religious school will fall into a chaotic state. Unfortunately many will say religion is the cause of most wars and terrorism, actually it is chaos. There are two major forces in the world light and chaos. 

How did these two young seemingly promising young men fall into the trap. Even those young men in the 911 incident were entrapped. There is without a doubt spiritual forces in control of these men. They appear as angels of light but are actually of chaos. Once while in meditation saw the chaos - some of it is deliberate and some random. What is random is usually the forces of nature - hurricanes, lightning, these cannot be avoided. Deliberate chaos can be avoided by knowledge. 

Knowledge of the budhi and the blood. Knowledge of the wind and the water. Knowledge of light and chaos. Jesus had this sacred knowledge and so did many throughout time. Somehow it was perverted by men  and women or misunderstood. When the word soul was replaced by ego. When a prophet became a part of the world.  Did Mohammed have revelations from God? When he was revealed the Lord's prayer in an audible voice-  I believe that it happened. Were they also properly sealed and carried out? No. Any deviation from light into chaos means something went awry.

What are the seals?  Any prophet that hears a revelation must carry out the seal. It is one thing to hear the voice of God but it must also be properly carried out and sealed. The bible speaks of actions being sealed by the prophets. When something is sealed it is committed to light. God often uses the seals to separate the chaos from light.

When did the prophet become a political figure? Is it ok to rob caravans in the name of God, No. What about the story of the Good Samaritan. Where one was a robber and attacker , another a victim, another a thief, another a priest and the last the Good Samaritan. Jesus did not teach us to become the attacker or the priest that ignores calls for help, we are to be like the Good Samaritan. 

We also see in the Jonestown massacres and in the Waco incident a deviation from light. So it is not just in the Islamic realm. We are currently in a war in Afghanistan many are trying to create an exit strategy while claiming a success. Just as in many regions were democracy is proclaimed- what if the people choose to be Taliban or radical extremism not true Islam. Islam was meant to bring order out of chaos and and was taken over by religious zealots. Various caliphates used the Islamic teaching to gain power and control and some were virtuous and promising so it was thought being political was a good thing but not so if in the wrong hands. It was when Islam was used as a political tool that it became perverted.  We need to understand that manipulation of young people happens in all religious geopolitical societies not just in Islam. Politics is not a party with God. Jesus said - render unto Caesar the things that are his and to God what is of God. A separation of politics and religion - yet even in todays christian churches there is an involvement in politics.

My heart goes out to the loved ones that suffered loss of life and limb. Emotional suffering and life lost from recent gun violence  of disturbed individuals at various schools and public places. The only prevention of such acts is bringing to light what is right and wrong. Basic teaching of right and wrong - basic knowledge. Reveal the light , and reveal the chaos.

God is light. Not chaos or the author of confusion.

peace.

Earl.

Rewards and Benefits

 Many are looking for favor and rewards from the creator. Even the bible says hope for nothing in return. Perhaps this is where many stumble when the financial or material rewards do not come. The prosperity gospel has been preached for years and the only one that prospers is the preacher. I remember being in evangelical meeting and the singing would go as follows- "Give as you give unto the Lord and the Lord will give it back to you." emotions raised and folks would empty their pockets as the evangelist would go to the next town with the same song. This is not the gospel - expect nothing in return says Luke.
 Now, there are many benefits to living a spiritual life. My friend was a heavy smoker over 2 packs a day , his wife also smoked 2 packs a day. The daily spend was over 24 dollars a day to smoke paper and tobacco product. The health benefits from giving up this habit were tremendous and the financial benefit was 720.00USD a month. That was enough for a new car in the garage and a vacation for the entire family to the San Diego Zoo. The next year they went on an Alaskan cruise all with the money saved from breaking the smoking habit. Sure the government and tobacco companies will miss that money as they were benefitting.
 Yes - the other major habit of controlling drinking is a benefit. The health benefit of giving up strong drink has been proven. Not to mention the safety concerns with lack of judgement. The financial benefit could average another couple hundred a month. So here we are at over 1k a month just by clean living.
 Another benefit is the medical savings from living under less stress. The practical gospel teaches how to relieve stress which is the major cause of heart failure and digestive problems. The bible teaches how to eat properly and not to be gluttons. Eat a healthy diet with less fats , the passover lamb was only eaten once a year. There is a great book , " What would Jesus eat" on the biblical diet.
 Peace of mind - learning to forgive others and yourself and having Christ there to assist is a great benefit. There is no price tag for inner peace - it is priceless. Many famous and rich persons have broken lives with no inner peace. Wealth does not guarantee inner peace it only adds to the desires because they are never satisfied by objects. Object wealth is not the same as contented wealth. Having contentment without keeping up with the Jones is real gain.
 So - what is the message here rewards or benefits. We will find in the long run it is benefits. Learn to build your faith and your life, make good life choices. I do not teach the gospel of sin, because it was what Jesus did away with. We should encourage others for the benefit to live clean lives and not use judgement as a tool. judge not lest you be judged. Enjoy the benefits - you deserve that cruise.

peace.
Earl.

Overcome

What is the purpose of spirituality?

Is it to have an out of body experience? 

Is it to escape from reality?

Is it to have inner peace?

No, No and Yes but partly. 

 We need first to take care of the body's that we have. Proper diet and exercise - then use them for a useful purpose. Before dreaming of your new heavenly body with angelic-like features or aura frame use what you have. Go to a elder care center or hospital and volunteer, even if it is reading a book or holding a hand. Use the hands and legs that you were given to make the world a better place.

 Escape is not the goal of spirituality , you may find levels of consciousness or experiences may come but that is not the end goal. We are spiritual to overcome diversity. The goal is to overcome , to be victorious not to be lost in meditation. Most of our meditation should be directed toward overcoming the barriers in this life.

 If you have a smoking habit or other destructive habit -use your new found gift to overcome it.

If you feel the desire to do some good in the world find a group or church that takes part in such things. If a church teaches you to gain spiritual gifts and does not have an outlet to use them , then find a place that does. We should be pillars in the community in which we live. Many have a sense of religion but have no charity to enforce that.

 Inner peace is very important - at one time it seemed to me all that mattered. Even wrote a poem inner peace is all that matters. Perhaps it was a little too congenial because the outer chaos also needs to be dealt with. As children of light it is important to not hide that light under a night stand - let it shine. Many are not willing to face chaos. We are placed here on earth to be a light to the world. Jesus said " I am the light of the world" also "you are children of light". It is not just about having inner peace though that is a wonderful place to be.

Peace.

-Earl