(Disclaimer: This post is very personal, yet I have no fear in sharing about my life as I hope someone may find wisdom, strength, or hope in my words. I would ask that your comments are applicable to my opinions only, not my personal history.)
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What a wonderful book to be enjoyed by each man to himself. What a tragedy that man feels compelled to make others see things his way.
I have dreamt of time machines, of helping history along. If I could have only been there to help men see the deeper truth of the Bible, to understand metaphor and myth, to personalize rather than organize. If I could have been the catalyst to prevent war, genocide, and fervor. But that would make me equally as culpable...
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I have read the Book a number of times, at different places in my life, for different reasons. Early in my life, I wanted very much to be part of a religion so that I could have social identity. I pulled away from Catholicism and joined a Church of Christ. I left them as well when my best friend and I had an argument. I went to Mormon tabernacle for a while, although my motives were simpler--seek approval for sex before marriage (I was "in love" with a Latter Day Saint). Soon after, I immersed myself into Judaism. Living in a small town, I was running out of religions to turn to...
Later in life, I turned to the Bible for analysis. I had abandoned the idea of God and, as a good atheist, needed ammunition with which to defeat Christianity. This was easy as the Book is filled with outrageous stories and a history that fall short under scientific scrutiny. I pored over the text, cover to cover, building an arsenal of barbs, logic, and hypocrisy. I was a good atheist.
Later in life, I found myself hopeless--drunk, suicidal, incarcerated. This time I sought the Book, hoping to find a Santa Claus-like foxhole prayer. "God, if you get me out of this one, I'll believe in you. Heck, I'll become a preacher!" Once again I found myself reading and reading, yet the salvation I needed came at the hands of attorneys, favors from wealthy contacts, and an overcrowded penal system.
I missed a lot.
If you have followed my blogs to this point, you have probably realized that I have a fairly clear idea of what my higher power is. Somewhere between Hinduism and Buddhism lies the concept of an everythng, or nothing, that this world is merely a manifestation of. I seek love and kindess, peace and serenity, humility and grace, and offer the same in turn. These are the traits common to all healthy faiths, regardless of denomination. Still, I belive the ego is a manifestation all it's own, and is hell-bent on destruction. Like a parasite, it thrives on discomfort and disease.
I read the Bible one last time recently, only this time I sought wisdom. I have come to terms with the fact that all men of loving faith have found some level of comfort with their existence. This time, I sought similarities instead of looking for differences. Much of what I came to love out of that Book is printed in The Enlightened Mind. Much of the sacred text can be interpreted in numerous ways. I truly believe that a man should seek his own understanding of the Bible, so he can apply the lessons and truths to his own life.
I offer a few examples of my interpretation for your consideration.
"And God looked at everything he had made, and behold! It was very good." Gen 1:31
and
"God has made everything beautiful in its time, and has put eternity in our hearts." Ecc 3:11
Mirror statements like these are so wonderful. Time and time again, the message is simple--this world is wonderful because everything in it is of God. That includes us puny humans! Eternity as a concept is very human, not recognizing time is a virtue.
"Be still, and know that I am God." Psa 46:10
Is this a command to sit quietly because God is in charge, or does this statement imply that each person is manifested of one Godhood? I choose to think the latter...
"I form light and create darkness. I make peace and create evil." Is 45:7
A statement of holy power, or two statements of duality? All things exist in a world of oneness, thus every duality exists in God...
Finally, the single unifying tenet of all love-based faith:
"Love your neighbor as you would yourself." Lev 19:18
Enough said.
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2 comments:
I love reading your posts, Woody. You have a way of cutting through the chaff and pointing out simple truths that I missed during my own readings. The honesty and warmth they exude is so calming. That aside, it is also inspirational in and of itself, giving hope to those that weren't even looking for it, like myself.
Ever think of doing public speaking?
Your response was so candid and written so beautifully! Thank you so much for sharing your personal story and helping me to see the Bible in a completely different light. I tried to read it before but couldn't get past the hypocracy and double-talk, reminded me of politics. And everyone that tried to teach from the Bible made everything so literal. I see it with new eyes now that you've illustrated how fascinating it is in methaphor..." 'Be still, and know that I am God.' Psa 46:10
Is this a command to sit quietly because God is in charge, or does this statement imply that each person is manifested of one Godhood? I choose to think the latter..." I was very moved by your interpretation. Thank you!
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