A Course in Miracles
This may be the most advanced and powerful spiritual text I've found.
And O my, the whole book is available on the web!
It is very non-mainstream philosophy which takes some getting used to. But I warmly recommend giving it a chance. Or many.
Also, one might even start with the book The Disappearance of the Universe. It puts A.C.I.M. into fresh perspective, and is easier to read, very entertaining.
This book has been a major influence in my life. Thanks for sharing Eolake.
ReplyDeleteLaurie
This is a book that I have been meaning to read for a while, as I have heard it mentioned many times in my spiritual journey. I'll check this out, though I think I would rather get the hard copy version at some point if I like it.
ReplyDeleteNothing (yet) beats a hardcopy, sure.
ReplyDeleteCool though it's there on the web, for somebody who is really strapped.
It is very non-mainstream philosophy which takes some getting used to. But I warmly recommend giving it a chance. Or many.
ReplyDeleteAlso, one might even start with the book The Disappearance of the Universe. It puts ACIM into fresh perspective, and is easier to read.
get ready to have your whole view of the world shattered.
ReplyDeleteI think I only accepted these teachings when I reached a rock-bottom misery at feeling in bondage to this world, and a terrible ache to find a way home.
I think no matter what the religion, in the end we all recognize the voice of deliverance.
"I think no matter what the religion, in the end we all recognize the voice of deliverance."
ReplyDeleteExcellent, beautiful! Spoken like a true Kejawen. The Kejawen "faith", on the widely multi-cultural island of Java, believes that everyone will choose their own religion, but must shed it at the end of their life to meet the One Truth, for there can be only one. They say : "Religion is a cloth for the soul to go through life without feeling cold, but when we die we must go forth naked."
The persian-born Baha'is believe similarly, that all the "prophets" came with a style that fitted their time and society, but that God is one, so disagreements about the form are vain. When you join Baha'ism, you reject nothing of your original faith, you just complete it a little.
If I were in need for spiritual universalism, I'd probably join them. Their actions prove they're the opposite of a "cult".
I've used this metafor bephore. ;-)
Each of us must follow their own path to go North, depending on where they are at the start; but in the end, we'll all meet in the same spot.
I remember a funny scene from "César", the movie by Marcel Pagnol. César, an old barkeeper from Marseille, is on his deathbed, receiving the last rites from the priest. Meanwhile, his buddies downstairs are making idle chat. And one of them comes up with this wild thought : "Hey, guys, what if... what if our God wasn't the right one, after all? I mean, you know, just in case. What if ol' Cesar, passing away all confessed an' christian an' purified an' stuff, he goes up dere, an' he meets face to face with one of 'em green chinese gods wid' lotsa arms an' teeth, speaking to him in gibberish? Have you ever thought about it?"
Then enters the priest, his duties accomplished, who promptly scolds the weak-faithed drunk. :-)
I'm sure the missionaries made wide use of the reverse argument : "Imagine yourself, my chinese/indian son, following your rites all your life, passing away, and finding out you're meeting a bearded grandfather in a white robe, speaking to you in latin, and asking for different accounts, what'll you do then? It'll be too late to change. I just want to save you."
Is broad-mindedness such a big miracle to hope for?...
"Religion is a cloth for the soul to go through life without feeling cold, but when we die we must go forth naked."
ReplyDeleteReligion is fruitless. It's man's doing. Jesus Christ is God's answer and redemption for humankind.
but in the end, we'll all meet in the same spot.
No, we will not. Some will be judged at the Great White Throne (sinners) and others (redeemed saints) will be judged at the Judgement Seat of Christ.
One Truth, for there can be only one.
His name is Jesus Christ.
"I just want to save you."
Christ calls, all you have to do is open up your heart and let him in. Confess your sins and accept Him as your personal saviour.
I think no matter what the religion, in the end we all recognize the voice of deliverance.
Not always. Many are deceived. The only true redemption lies in the Blood of Christ.
Let not your heart be troubled. Believe in God believe also in me.
Jesus spoke.
Born-Again Christian,
ReplyDeleteIf you consider Love as another word for Jesus, we're in agreement. One may have never heard of Jesus Christ and the Gospel and yet be a soul filled with kindness and Love. In such a case I'd say the essential spirit is definitely there.
As you said, religion is man's doing. Mere labels.
I attach no importance to the healing miracles and stuff. To me, Love is quite enough, and the greatest miracle of all. Jesus said it himself, I believe?...
Tolerance, solidarity, acceptance, human rights... Today's "modern" values are laic in formulation, but they show an amusing convergence with some 2000 year-old stuff!
To me, Love is quite enough, and the greatest miracle of all.
ReplyDeleteTo you dear Lady, love is not enough. Jesus Christ said You Must go through HIM only to enter the gates of Heaven.
Dear Levon,
ReplyDelete1°) "To me" meant "in my opinion". Even though I'm christian, I consider good souls will deserve salvation no matter what faith their culture brought them up in. "By its fruit thou shall recognize the tree."
You're certainly free to feel otherwise, and to put great importance in the faith that teaches you to love. There's a personal life path for each of us.
2°) I am not a lady. And contrary to Calamity Jane, I'm not even a woman. ;-)
The feminine version of my name would be "Pascale".
It seems this kind of little misunderstanding will forever pursue me. I don't mind, my ideas feel more important than my gender. This is a blog, not a dating service. :-D
This is a blog, not a dating service. :-D
ReplyDeleteWe know Doctor Feelgood Pascal. We know. You need to go into a comedy club to relieve yourself of this need to laugh and joke about nearly everything.
Get serious once in awhile. It wouldn't hurt. It may boast your confidence instead of masking it with stale unfunny comebacks.
Karen Lueger said...
ReplyDelete"Get serious once in awhile."
I do. You can check the posts "About Lincoln, racism, and PERSPECTIVE" and "Bob Carlos Clarke took his own life" in the archives for some very serious samples of Pascalism. (Both in July 2006.) Go on, look them up!
Why, did you find my reply to Levon integrally silly perhaps???
(Sigh) If people followed all the threads, like "Church in sepia" and "Greg O" currently, I wouldn't have to repeat the same things every other day and drone about my serious moments. This is starting to get tedious.
It's incredible, the instant I set things clear with somebody, another grumpy newcomer pops out to gripe! Reminds me about that period in the Eighties, when Europe seemed submerged by a wave of terrorist attacks, every time with yet another previously unknown group claiming it. It turned out there were only a few actual groups involved, who deliberately switched names constantly to create the illusion of a myriad. I swear, if I find out that this criticism wave is organized, I'm gonna sue the "We hate Pascal's humor" club for their shirts and undies! It already wasn't subtle with Beverly Hills 10210's Brenda having a hate club. Gosh, what's the friggin' point???
Nowadays, if I ask a "Mr Nobody" whether he's related to famous sailor Ulysses, some people will completely overlook the cultivated homeric reference to only see a joke that upsets the prefect serious order of their gray world. Puh-leeze, get a life! Do you see me harassing other people's opinions and ideas when they're not directly targeting me? En-oh-doubleU-pee, nope!
Why, did you find my reply to Levon integrally silly perhaps???
ReplyDeleteYes Pascal. Very much so.
Levon didn't seem to object...
ReplyDeleteWell, love him or hate him, but apparently Pascal leaves nobody indifferent. Is this what they call the ransom of success?
"Success is a huge misunderstanding." - (Nicolas Hulot, successful globe-trotter and TV star)