Posts
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Let freedom ring! And let freedom rock!:) We who were once servants of a human cult are now the free servants of freedom! We are servants of God (Love) alone, and we are determined never again to lose this special and beautiful gift of freedom. Yes, we share your smiles re those who have asserted their freedom to run their own lives as free human beings, having escaped the dull programming-efforts of the cult. We are now free to explore the entire wide and varied "smorgasbord" of spirituality, and there is a wide spectrum indeed of spiritual (Lovebased) paths before us, in both religion and psychology. Some of us continue to declare and to support our spiritual freedom by refusing to "join" any "organization," or any form of organized religion! We are, instead, happy spiritual free-lancers. We belong to God (Love) alone, and not to any organized religion! And we find continuous bliss in our spiritual independence.
We can work with any and all religions, or none at all; this is the very meaning of spiritual independence. It feels intuitively good and right for all of us, and so, we continue on the "pathless path.":) Together, all over the world, each and every day, we celebrate our spiritual freedom and independence. We are determined never again to give up our spiritual independence, to any religion or religious organization. For we greatly treasure and value our freedom in Christ (Love). It is an inexpressible delight to share the Way, and message, of radical spiritual
independence with other free and freed Souls!:)
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Showing posts with label independence. Show all posts
Showing posts with label independence. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Sunday, July 06, 2008
Jesus Christ and Religion
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Every day, we celebrate our "spiritual independence" from human doctrines, dogma, leaders, administrations, and the burdens imposed by legalism, scripturalism, and organized religion generally. What a sigh of great and sincere relief it is to realize that "belonging" to God (Love) is sufficient, and that you need "belong" to no formal Church; after all, Jesus belonged to none; for, during his day, not a single one of the many churches and denominations of our time even existed! Jesus was not even a "Christian," for that word had not been created until after his death. Also, he clearly was not accepted as a religious Jew, as the high priest and other orthodox leaders conspired in his murder.
So, he was neither religious Jew nor Christian (although he was genetically and culturally Jewish). He was a human being, without labels, in search of the treasure of the interior God of Love, which he discovered and sought to share with others.
Happy Independence Day, every day!:):)
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Every day, we celebrate our "spiritual independence" from human doctrines, dogma, leaders, administrations, and the burdens imposed by legalism, scripturalism, and organized religion generally. What a sigh of great and sincere relief it is to realize that "belonging" to God (Love) is sufficient, and that you need "belong" to no formal Church; after all, Jesus belonged to none; for, during his day, not a single one of the many churches and denominations of our time even existed! Jesus was not even a "Christian," for that word had not been created until after his death. Also, he clearly was not accepted as a religious Jew, as the high priest and other orthodox leaders conspired in his murder.
So, he was neither religious Jew nor Christian (although he was genetically and culturally Jewish). He was a human being, without labels, in search of the treasure of the interior God of Love, which he discovered and sought to share with others.
Happy Independence Day, every day!:):)
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Wednesday, May 23, 2007
The Joyful Way and Religion
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The text inviting people to follow Jesus, and where he says, "come unto me all ye that are heavy laden and I will give you rest," is an invitation specifically directed towards Jewish people. Their religion had become for them a huge task, involving several thousand laws.
But this invitation also extends to all people. Here, Jesus was contrasting the simplicity of the spiritual Way with the religious path.
It is still this way. There are so many rituals and tasks that must be done in a religious life: Going regularly to a particular church, giving money to that church, singing hymns, lighting candles, doing Bible-study, saying public prayers, participating in regular social activities. In some denominations and cults, you are expected to sell, or otherwise work for, the religion.
The spiritual person needs none of this. She has one simple assignment, and that is to love-- whenever possible, whomever possible. She does not need to study the Bible, for her life is based upon the personal interior direction of the Spirit of Love, not upon ancient books and laws. That is why the enlightened never argue about Scriptural dogmas and doctrines.
Laws create legalism, and this can drive one from the direct Presence of God. Legalism and religions separate people, often to the point where they cut each others' throats, all in the "name of God." Religions often harm people psychologically or emotionally. For example, many teach the monstrous doctrines of eternal hellfire or Armageddon-- both equally horrific. For both support and imply a "monstergod."
While religion keeps its members "busy," often with useless "make-work" for the church, true spirituality is light and easy. For, in another place, Jesus says of this same Way, "My yoke is easy, and My burden light."
The deeply, truly spiritual person can afford to "drop" religion: Her "church," like her God, is everywhere. Her every act of Love is an act of worship. Her every thought of Love is her deepest prayer. So, wherever she goes, she is "in church," and whatever she does or says is her true "worship." So, she has no need for a church or, for that matter, a human leader to tell her how to live.
Religionis coldly intellectual, while spirituality is a warm matter of a heart ignited by Love-- Love for self, others, and all living creatures. This is the Love of God, and there is no other.
I do not recommend that people drop their churches. I do not recommend that people hate their churches. But it is true that, after much prayer, meditation, and preparation, a deeply spiritual person might be ready to "rise above," or "outgrow" her church. If and when so, she can then live safely and very happily without any "religion" at all. Her life-design is between her and Jesus or God. She ceases to follow the advice or laws of any priest, guru, or minister.
She has become spiritually independent, as a fully functioning spiritual adult. Unlike the dozens of laws of any religion, the Way of Jesus has only one law. It can be most simply summed up in a single word:
Love.
It is this: Love everyone, serve everyone, and forgive everyone. As John said, if a person lives in Love, she is living in God, and God in her. So, in that wisdom, she no longer has any room for religion or a church.
Religion, for the spiritual, is like a second-grade class in school. Second grade is not "evil," but once you move beyond it, you just do not go back to the classroom (church). Instead, you go out into the world with what you have learned, and try to apply it to real life.
The sad aspect of our society is that people never feel "ready" to leave the second grade. And their teachers-- gurus, priests, and ministers-- do everything possible to keep anyone from growing up into independence. For they are on gigantic egotrips, and they really often believe that a person should stay in second grade forever. This is how religion retards, holds back, and even cripples people when its real task is to aid them to grow. A good minister, priest, or guru should help a person do everything possible to outgrow human teachers and leaders, and to stand on her own. One problem, in their view: This would make them obsolete and unnecessary, and this scares them.
The great spiritual teachers, by contrast, wanted all their students (disciples) to grow up and stand on their own. Jesus said, in John, that if he did not "go away" to the "Father," the disciples would cling to him. But instead, he did want to go away, and send them the Paraclete (Helper or Comforter), the Holy Spirit. And the Buddha said, "Be a lamp unto yourselves."
Embracing a true spiritual Way makes us stronger and wiser. It makes us more loving and compassionate, serving others and being sensitive to their needs. It is like taking a breath of fresh air; I know, because I used to be an abject, fulltime slave to religion.
*******
The text inviting people to follow Jesus, and where he says, "come unto me all ye that are heavy laden and I will give you rest," is an invitation specifically directed towards Jewish people. Their religion had become for them a huge task, involving several thousand laws.
But this invitation also extends to all people. Here, Jesus was contrasting the simplicity of the spiritual Way with the religious path.
It is still this way. There are so many rituals and tasks that must be done in a religious life: Going regularly to a particular church, giving money to that church, singing hymns, lighting candles, doing Bible-study, saying public prayers, participating in regular social activities. In some denominations and cults, you are expected to sell, or otherwise work for, the religion.
The spiritual person needs none of this. She has one simple assignment, and that is to love-- whenever possible, whomever possible. She does not need to study the Bible, for her life is based upon the personal interior direction of the Spirit of Love, not upon ancient books and laws. That is why the enlightened never argue about Scriptural dogmas and doctrines.
Laws create legalism, and this can drive one from the direct Presence of God. Legalism and religions separate people, often to the point where they cut each others' throats, all in the "name of God." Religions often harm people psychologically or emotionally. For example, many teach the monstrous doctrines of eternal hellfire or Armageddon-- both equally horrific. For both support and imply a "monstergod."
While religion keeps its members "busy," often with useless "make-work" for the church, true spirituality is light and easy. For, in another place, Jesus says of this same Way, "My yoke is easy, and My burden light."
The deeply, truly spiritual person can afford to "drop" religion: Her "church," like her God, is everywhere. Her every act of Love is an act of worship. Her every thought of Love is her deepest prayer. So, wherever she goes, she is "in church," and whatever she does or says is her true "worship." So, she has no need for a church or, for that matter, a human leader to tell her how to live.
Religionis coldly intellectual, while spirituality is a warm matter of a heart ignited by Love-- Love for self, others, and all living creatures. This is the Love of God, and there is no other.
I do not recommend that people drop their churches. I do not recommend that people hate their churches. But it is true that, after much prayer, meditation, and preparation, a deeply spiritual person might be ready to "rise above," or "outgrow" her church. If and when so, she can then live safely and very happily without any "religion" at all. Her life-design is between her and Jesus or God. She ceases to follow the advice or laws of any priest, guru, or minister.
She has become spiritually independent, as a fully functioning spiritual adult. Unlike the dozens of laws of any religion, the Way of Jesus has only one law. It can be most simply summed up in a single word:
Love.
It is this: Love everyone, serve everyone, and forgive everyone. As John said, if a person lives in Love, she is living in God, and God in her. So, in that wisdom, she no longer has any room for religion or a church.
Religion, for the spiritual, is like a second-grade class in school. Second grade is not "evil," but once you move beyond it, you just do not go back to the classroom (church). Instead, you go out into the world with what you have learned, and try to apply it to real life.
The sad aspect of our society is that people never feel "ready" to leave the second grade. And their teachers-- gurus, priests, and ministers-- do everything possible to keep anyone from growing up into independence. For they are on gigantic egotrips, and they really often believe that a person should stay in second grade forever. This is how religion retards, holds back, and even cripples people when its real task is to aid them to grow. A good minister, priest, or guru should help a person do everything possible to outgrow human teachers and leaders, and to stand on her own. One problem, in their view: This would make them obsolete and unnecessary, and this scares them.
The great spiritual teachers, by contrast, wanted all their students (disciples) to grow up and stand on their own. Jesus said, in John, that if he did not "go away" to the "Father," the disciples would cling to him. But instead, he did want to go away, and send them the Paraclete (Helper or Comforter), the Holy Spirit. And the Buddha said, "Be a lamp unto yourselves."
Embracing a true spiritual Way makes us stronger and wiser. It makes us more loving and compassionate, serving others and being sensitive to their needs. It is like taking a breath of fresh air; I know, because I used to be an abject, fulltime slave to religion.
*******
Monday, April 30, 2007
Compassion Alert!
A new sister has recently got in touch with us via email. Her name is Victoria, and she is recently doing final confrontation with the Jehovah's Witness cult. She needs all the help, all the contact, that she can get during this most "lonely" and isolated period of her life.
Her ema is:
binspired2day@earthlink.net
So, please write to her, with messages of upliftment and positivity. Let her know that this world is filled with good, compassionate, loving human beings. [Her religion has taught her to fear and distrust "worldly" people (non-cult-members.)]
Please encourage her fledgling attempts at an independent life. [Her religion fosters utter dependence.] Please offer your friendship. Please do it now, before it "escapes your busy day."
Love,
shi and the Love Education Team
Her ema is:
binspired2day@earthlink.net
So, please write to her, with messages of upliftment and positivity. Let her know that this world is filled with good, compassionate, loving human beings. [Her religion has taught her to fear and distrust "worldly" people (non-cult-members.)]
Please encourage her fledgling attempts at an independent life. [Her religion fosters utter dependence.] Please offer your friendship. Please do it now, before it "escapes your busy day."
Love,
shi and the Love Education Team
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