What is God?

God” is the total spiritual and physical aggregate energy of everything that ever was, is, and will be.

From before the big bang to the totality of forever, God is…from the smallest particle to the largest galaxy, God is…from the tiniest living thing to the largest creature on any planet, God is.  God is metaphysical truth consistently being all, and as one, simultaneously.

Since God is actually a spiritual concept that is confined in terms of human language, there needs to be a word that can represent God in the physical world.  Although there are many words that are commonly used to represent or describe God, only Truth comes close to God’s profound scope and meaning.  Therefore, a definition of truth is necessary.

What is Truth?

Truth is that which is consistently reliable for every moment of time, every dimension in space and every location throughout the universe.

God is all, and truth is the structure in which God exists in the physical world.

Now that we have defined both “God,” and “Truth” we now must turn to the definition of infinity for which God and truth are interconnected.  Just like so many other terms that relate to both the physical world and the spiritual realm, infinity teeters on the dualistic edge of all things quantifiable and spiritual.  Therefore, the definition of infinity will require a multidimensional approach.

What is Infinity?

Infinity, the foundational concept on which Universal Spirituality is based upon has, as we would imagine, a multidimensional definition.  To begin with, there is a common language understanding.  This definition relates to the unending “amount” of time, space and distance "within" the universe. Infinity is also referred to in Euclidian geometry as the point at which two parallel lines intersect. In mathematics, infinity has a precise set of equations known as “set theory.”  These equations are designed to offer a mathematical outcome relating to infinity.  The problem with infinity (used here in its common language form) is that it is so large of a concept there may not be any provable, verifiable or even useful value in the idea.  So then, how is the term infinity defined and used by Universal Spiritualists?  As a Universal Spiritualist, infinity is a hybrid term that is both meaningful to the physical world as a concept of greatness and to the spiritual realm, as greatness itself.  What this means is in the universe, infinity can be given a dimensional definition.  In the spiritual realm infinity becomes “omni-dimensional.”  However, like God’s existence, the value of infinity requires a significant leap of faith.  Does a term that is both quantifiable and yet requires a leap of faith provide any useful truth?  It all depends on what side of the infinite fence you currently reside.  Although infinity may not have a useful or empirical value in the physical world, it does not in any way impede the metaphysical and/or philosophical examination of truth.  In fact, it could be argued that infinity, in the way it is used to promote peace and unity throughout this text, supports the continuation of the search.  In this way, all definitions and concepts relating to infinity, whatever they may be, are best served.

Universe Body Analogy

Another way to understand how the physical representation of God is “seen” by Universal Spiritualists is the Universe Body analogy.  Consider the human body as if it was the totality of the universe.  It was brought into existence, contains many organizational systems, supports life, and has countless number of individual parts.  Galaxies could be seen as discreet organs, solar systems could be viewed as cells within those organs, and people could represent the molecules that comprise the cells structure.  As a molecule, we may never come to realize how our existence is integral to the entire human host.  We work each day doing what we can to perpetuate the immediate environment.  In our ignorance, we may even create an image of a super molecule that can perform unlimited tasks, do more than just serve locally, and continue forever without dying.  We may even elevate this belief to a level that would explain why some molecules are harmful or destructive, why for no apparent reason molecules mutate, and how it is that molecules are designed in such a complex fashion.  All the while, not knowing that as a molecule, we are a vital part of a much larger existing structure.  From the perspective of the molecule, it does not see the whole body, it may not realize the body is part of its destiny and it may not understand that ultimately, there is an “infinite mind" and that mind, along with the existence of molecules comprises a coexisting, collective, aggregate energy consciousness that we call Universal Spirituality or Gods infinite mind.

God and Science

One of the biggest challenges to the authority of conventional religion is science's epistemology.  The challenge lies in the way scientific proof is obtained, and whether proof of any kind is necessary when invoking God's omnipotence.  If it is assumed that God is all-powerful, that is to say, without any restraints, nothing should be able to override God’s providence.  By definition; God must be without limits, weaknesses, or faults.  If any of these attributes creep in when God is invoked, then God is no longer meaningful.  Science's epistemology on the other hand, by its very nature, is constantly redefining its self, allowing for the expansion of new ideas.  By definition; science is the process of finding consistent and verifiable evidence that will explain and predict how things in the physical world work.  When something does not fit the predicted outcome, the scientific process and assumed conclusion is rigorously reexamined and new conclusions are drawn.  These new conclusions are put in place until new evidence or observations are realized.  Sometimes this process may take minutes, and other times it may take hundreds of years.  If we then take into account the consistent and verifiable evidence can be mathematically quantified, the resulting outcome can be stone-sobering truth. This is when the challenge to theology arises.  If you have a scientific outcome that is verifiable and quantifiable, for example: mass and its gravitational relationship or light and its speed and frequency, you begin to challenge God’s ability to overcome these universal truths.  The fact is God cannot change the law of physics and mathematics, for if God momentarily does, then all physical knowledge becomes inconsistent and unreliable.  Of course the opposite is also true.  If the law of physics cannot be change by God, then God is not all-powerful.  At this point we must ask the question, why would a perfect creator have a need to change the law of physics, or anything else for that matter?  The answer is directly related to the model of God used by conventional theology.  In order for God to have meaning, there needs to be a personal, intervening relationship with God.  Only then can God have value.  However, if we use a more scientific model such as: God is the totality of all that was, is, and will become; allowing for continuous reexamination and development, we have effectively given God a boundless nature.  Like science, the idea of God is allowed to increase with time while simultaneously clarifying God's value regarding the workings of the universe.  That value is independent from our physical existence yet connected to all we know.  No physical or personal relationship is required to enjoy the results of God's existence.  What then becomes important is not what God can do for us, but our appreciation for all that is ours, and how we go about sharing the abundance of knowledge with others.  By doing so, we raise the knowledge of all, thereby fulfilling the wondrous cycle of scientific progression.

As a Universal Spiritualist, God and science are one in the same.  As we increase our scientific understanding, we increase our comprehension of God's meaning and purpose.  Although our physical existence will end before complete knowledge is ever obtained, what we add to the progression of scientific knowledge and human thought never dies, making our existence and resulting contribution forever immortal.  This is the benefit when science and God become the ever-revealing, co-existing, aggregate energy consciousness that we think is "God's infinite mind."

Spiritual Energy in the Universe

In the 17^th century, Sir Isaac Newton devised the calculation that predicted the orbital shape of a rotating body--the Earth, in relation to the gravitational force produced by a large mass--the Sun, to be elliptic.  This single calculation changed everything we understood regarding the motion of the heavens and confirmed the Sun to be at the center of our planetary system and not the Earth. Newton's equation provided the mathematical proof to Kepler's hypotheses on planetary motion and all at once, the relationship of mass and gravitational force throughout the universe as applied, was put in place.  Newton's theory of universal gravity revolutionized not only science but also, the culture of the entire world.  Even today, many astronomers regard Newton's mathematical theorems as universal law.  However, as we move further and further with our understanding of the intricate workings of the universe, the gravitational relationships as they are applied to whole galaxies and the universe itself, become more and more difficult to predict and comprehend.  Recently, it has been calculated there is not enough visible mass to supply the total amount of gravitational force needed to hold together in balance the entire universe.  What this suggests is there are other properties that are in play which are unseen yet theoretically necessary for the universe to not just fly apart at the seams or collapse upon itself.  Simultaneously, it has also been observed instead of the universe being static and endless as previously thought, the universe is actually moving faster in all directions.  To account for its acceleration and its gravitational stability, several theories have been proposed to remedy this cosmological problem.

First, to compensate for the amount of mass needed for a proper universal gravitational balance, a substance known as "dart matter" was theoretically introduced. This substance, although having mass, has no amount (measurable by today's instruments) of physical matter.  It is for now in the world of theoretical particle science.  However, even with the introduction of dark matter, along with the total amount of visible matter and energy in the universe, only 25% of the amount of force needed to keep in balance all the structures in the universe is accounted for.  If we add to this the idea that the universe is not stationary and is, as now known, rapidly accelerating and expanding, an additional force or "dark energy" is necessary to complete the equation.  If we add these three components: visible matter, dark matter and dark energy; we can then construct a working model through calculation and computer simulation of a theoretical universe.

Another theory, introduced by Albert Einstein as part of his general theory of relativity, is known as the cosmological constant.  This theory suggests there is a density and pressure associated with empty space, termed as vacuum energy.  This vacuum energy provides the right amount of constant force, plus or minus zero, to allow the universe to remain coherent.  Even if the universe is cyclical as some suggest, that is to say a big bang followed by a big crunch, the cosmological constant again provides a consistent non-zero value that allows each cyclical event to have progressive variations.

An additional possibility offered by this author is the entire universe maybe rotating at some unknown cosmological speed, like a record on a giant turntable or like a gyroscope on a ship, keeping the universe and the structures within it, at an opposing gravitational balance.  This may account for the linear rotation of whole galaxies and the idea that at some point the universe will infinitely flatten.  Although there is no quantifiable theorem or calculation formulated for this notion, the idea of "stability" through rotation is not completely unheard of. But the question of why did it come into being still and always will remain a mystery.

Very recently, the Higgs Boson particle, commonly known as the GOD particle, has been discovered in Cern Switzerland, home of the Hadron super collider.  This subatomic particle, theorized by particle physicists for more than 50 years, may unlock the secret for why the universe behaves in the gravitational way that it does.  According to scientists, the discovery of the Higgs Boson particle fills in the last piece of the puzzle relating to the amount of matter needed to keep the universe from randomly flying apart.  The Boson particle field scientists suggest, is directly responsible for giving matter its gravitational value thereby providing gravitational forces, throughout the universe, the physical reason for their specific behavior.  This discovery will answer many of the questions surrounding how the universe works, how it began and how it will end.

Finally, there may be a spiritual answer for universal cohesion, with the understanding that this idea is completely non-provable in the physical world.  This notion suggests that dark-matter, dark-energy, the cosmological constant, universal rotation and the Boson particle field are all the result of a collective, coexisting aggregate energy consciousness.  That all living thought, along with all matter throughout the universe, comprises a force that is equal to the force needed to hold together everything in the universe. This "spiritual energy" is what we theoretically term as "God's infinite mind."  Although this idea may be seen as completely useless and totally wrong by some, the fact remains that energy cannot be destroyed.  It can only be transformed.  Whatever that transformation is, wherever that energy goes, however that process occurs, it is the ultimate destination for everything we are, all that we know and all that is.

In conclusion, the curiosity of the human spirit relating to who we are and why we are here may not be found in the physical world of particle science.  That world, in relationship to eternity, is small and momentary.  Our physical existence relates only to that moment and is connected by our creative spirit and human consciousness.  This links everything we are and know, together as one collective spiritual force or energy.  However, unlike the Boson particle field, spirituality will remain elusive and yet continue to influence the direction of all things.  Perhaps the answer precisely parallels the search for God and the enormous task of trying to identify just what God is and what is our role in the phenomena we call existence.

As a Universal Spiritualist, the point is not to ultimately know, for when we do, we have come to an end.  No, the point is to forever embrace the search and be unconditionally giving, loving and understanding to all along the way. Only then will we come to know the true essence and profound meaning of what we term as universal spirituality or "God's infinite mind.

Time and the Universal Spiritual Equation

If we begin to consider all the powers and forces in the universe such as gravity, electromagnetism, large and small nuclear forces and even life itself, we would quickly realize that “time,” is above all.  No matter how you think, or what you believe, you do it in time.  Although time is relative to the perceiver, wherever that perceiver maybe and however fast they are going, time is always part of the equation.  Time is inescapable and Omni-present.  The fact is, to exist, is to exist in time.  Of course, to know one exists, there must be a record of time, the time in which we existed.  In the human condition this is known as memory or on a larger scale, history.  Memory allows us to store, for an instant, a moment of time thereby providing evidence of existence.   However, the human memory is extremely elusive, with only brief recollections of outstanding or “memorable” moments of time. These moments of time, at best, are fragmented and easily forgotten.  Other non-human devices such as disk drives, store and recall events with a much greater accuracy than the human mind but do not, for the most part, have the longevity and become obsolete quickly. Yes data can be transferred from one device to another but that takes time and if we consider the total amount of memory needed to capture the average single human existence, there would never be enough time to complete the transfer.

But what about the time before our existence and the time after our existence ends.  We know only of past time by written or verbal history.  We have no other cense, a part from whom we are today, to confirm or deny past events.  We take it for granted with the knowledge that we are results of history but those historical events are now unchangeable and/or maybe selectively interpreted and therefore outside of our current moment of time. In another words, we cannot change the past. We can change the future, however, this is done unknowingly and with only hope as to what that future might be.  Once we have past on, time and our feeble understanding of it, changes in some unknown way. We move from captured and stored moments of linear time to infinite time without capture, as we currently understand it.

The change from linear time to infinite time surrounds our momentary existence.  Even our momentary existence could be seen as infinite.  If we consider the single moment and just how short that moment is, we quickly come to realize the moment is infinitely small. What makes this all so fascinating is if we assume “being” as a part of the equation, we then become infinite beings. The question then becomes: can infinite time be measured or comprehended at all, and if we are infinite beings, are we not all parts of the same being?  The answer to this, parallel’s the answer to the existence of God.  Therefore, the existence of time and the existence of God are equivalent and can be considered similarly.  Add into this mix the concept of intrinsic truth and the universal spiritual equation is complete.

Human being + Intrinsic truth + infinite time = the mind of God

Being + truth + time = God

Although for some, the universal spiritual equation maybe totally wrong and completely irrelevant, for others it is provocative and meaningful.  However wrong or not, relevant or not, the premise of existence is always at question and that question is what leads us to “God’s infinite mind.”

The Triad of Being

As we travel through this physical plane known as life, our being is what we are.  Our being is our existence. Our existence directly affects ourselves, and the world around us.  Every decision we make or path we take has an impact on all that is.  But, are we completely free, moving in some unknown random direction or does our path have a predetermined purpose? Is there a hidden meaning that moves us in some specified way?  The answer to these questions for many people is the influence of an external religious deity.  Although a deity maybe a suitable answer for those hoping to avoid a presupposed fiery hell, we still wonder if some other explanation that accounts for a positive journey could be defined.  To find this possible definition we must start at the beginning and understand the very basics of our being as it relates to our self, society, and spirituality.  If we find how these things interact and affect one another, we may understand the best way in which to walk correctly throughout our life.

The Individual Being

Without question, we are born into this world as an individual.  No other has our physical characteristics or emerging personality. Even identical twins, though they may share many things in common, they are individual by nature. Although we may completely depend on our mother or some other caregiver for food and other life necessities during our infancy, we are still physically detached and separate from all things.  This is a fact that is, pending a paradox, a commonality to all living things. It is true that no two things can occupy the exact same space, at precisely the same time.  Individuality becomes the reliance for variation, and variation adds to the variety of everything that exists.  It is for this reason the universe in all its’ splendor, like the snowflake, is so wondrous and diverse.

The Social Being

As we grow, gaining the ability to manage our own basic needs, we awake to our self-existence as it relates to society.  We are then confronted with the realization that we are not the only important being in the universe.  This realization does not lesson the value of the individual, but rather makes us aware of the existence and needs of others.  Furthermore, we learn that life can become a lot easier when working together as a part of a social environment or community.  The individual, regardless of variation, becomes more successful with the existence of others, creating a desire for all people to be considered and treated as equal.  Once this realization takes hold, guarantied freedoms, rights, laws and other social provisions are established. But even when these things are firmly in place, how the society progresses may not keep all individuals’ wellbeing equally valued.  Variation of individuality and the desire for social equality falls subject to its own inherent variation causing classism, for some individuals, to become attractive.  Once this division takes route, all the ills of a dysfunctional society appear and the social being suddenly cares not for equality but rather what is best for them.  So why does this happen?

The Spiritual Being

Because we are both physically separate and collectedly social beings our very nature has the potential to cause division.  The question then becomes, how do we manage or minimize the struggle between individual and social needs?  This is clearly a spiritual question for which the resolution directly relates to our internal ethical compass.  But like all compasses, an unseen, reliable force points us in a direction that allows us to find our way successfully out of the mysterious forest.  Of course, this presupposes we have the knowledge to read and correctly interpret the relationship of the needle to our present position.  The needle points north, no matter how we turn the compass.  This suggests that the path we take, although moving us forward, could lead us in the wrong direction causing us to go in circles if we do not stay true to wherever the needle is pointing.  However, once we are enlightened to the value of the needle’s direction, we begin to make progress in a way that best helps the world and ourselves equally.  Again, this does presuppose the needle is uninfluenced by any other external force than magnetic north, and the needles value is one in which we are aligned.  Unfortunately, it is very difficult to know or verify with absolution that we are truly aligned with the direction of the needle.  The only possible way is to see if what we do, through the result of our actions, affect the world in a positive light.  Only then may we consider ourselves to be aligned and in tuned with the universe.

As a Universal Spiritualist, aligning ourselves with the whole of the universe is a continuous expedition requiring a tremendous amount of understanding and instinctual knowledge.  How we determine the right path is a difficult challenge and one in which is seldom seen with foresight.  The path we travel is to some extent, pre-determined.  That is to say, time moves forward and is unstoppable.  The course we navigate as we travel through time maybe free, but free only with in the framework of our mortal existence.  As we move forward however, we are confronted by a variety of intersections that change our path, and thereby, the path of others.  How then do we know which is the right path to choose?  The answer again relates directly to our internal ethical compass.  Are we interested in only what is best for us, or do we recognize that what is best for all is always best for us. In all cases, by keeping to the universal principals stated throughout this text, and by considering the impact of our actions on others, the right path will surely be revealed

Religion or Spirituality

It is understood, for the most part, we live in an empirical world.  Most things are solid, liquid, or gas, and have some form of dimension.  We can measure and make observations, and draw conclusions based on our observations.  To know any of this, we use our five senses and expect or rather rely on them to give us useable knowledge of what is real.  Then, we use reason to sort out what it is we value and how to use what we have learned.  And yet, there is another side to the coin of life’s perceptions, and we couch that side in terms of spirituality.  However spirituality, because of its elusive intangible nature, teeters on the line between what is real and what is humanly constructed.  Even though in both cases we are the agent that creates the outcome, understanding the difference between what is truly spiritual, and what it is we construct as spiritual, needs to be recognized and clarified.

Religion

Regardless of denomination, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, or any other offshoot of these fine monotheistic, ore even polytheistic religious traditions, their basic spiritual foundation is all focus around the reflection of a human-created external religious figure or figures, use to control human behavior in favor of the religious organization for which it represents.  The control comes in many different ways but always achieves the same end, to have its followers believe their religion is the only true religion.  All others are not of their God and thereby creating an adversarial struggle with all other religious groups.  Throughout history, the struggle between religions has caused more death and destruction than any other philosophical ideal.  The reason for this (as stated in the text throughout this site) is the belief in an external man-God figure(s) that comprises all the characteristics found in human beings.  As we know, human beings are imperfect and therefore any conceptualization made by human being, will be in turn imperfect.  However, is there nothing to gain from these fine religious traditions?  Why do they all have a common denominator of a Supreme Being, or spiritual force, that somehow interacts with the human condition?  There must be something that is indubitably connecting but cannot be physically or traditionally defined.  That force we suggest is Spirituality.

Spirituality           

Within all the religious traditions mentioned above there is a certain amount of elusive intangible energy that may account for the motivation to construct a religious doctrine or drive us to understand the unexplainable phenomena that each of us experience in our everyday life.  Phenomena such as being at the right moment and place in time and having the unmistakable feeling it was destine to be.  Meeting with resistance when trying to accomplish a certain task, only to fine that some step within the task was incorrect and once resolved finding the resistance gone, allowing the task to move forward.  Being entrenched in a significant project only to find that at the end, what you’ve accomplished goes far beyond your perceived abilities.  Experiencing something that is so beautiful it brings you to tears, or something so horrific you feel pain.  Although these moments maybe dismissed as emotional states of mind, they are nonetheless real to the human condition and very often unexplainable.   What is common to these types of phenomena is the instinctual sense of connection to something beyond our physical being.  This connection manifests itself in our desire of oneness or harmony with God, nature and/or the universe, and we find the idea to be a constant in many religious traditions.  It also provides us with the motivation that causes us to act in some fashion.  For good or bad, this connection is why we continue to strive. 

As a Universal Spiritualist we suggest that this connection is spirituality. Although another explanation could be inserted such as evolution: the development of a higher human neurological synaptic sensory process, spirituality as defined transcends all religious cultures, doctrines and texts.  It is a constant within the human experience and provides purpose for our actions.  It is found in all forms of art and literature, felt strongly in personal relationships, and reaches beyond our individual moment of time.  It is the very reason why we fear death. It is our perceived loss of connection that causes us to morn the dead and create an Earthly reflection for the afterlife.   Because we are physical beings however, it is difficult to recognize that it is our physical nature that prevents us from fully knowing spirituality.  This does not mean we should take our own life to get back to oneness with God but rather, continue to build a human connection with all that is.  In this way we begin to identify our existence with all things, thereby reinforcing a stronger connection to the universe and God’s infinite mind.

The Process of Knowledge

For many people, coming to a conclusion about something is relatively simple.  We do it on a daily basis and without much concern.   In many cases we act upon the most foolish of reasons with little or no thought what so ever.  But when it comes down to the deepest of questions such as, what is truth, why do I exist, what are my ethical values, should I trust in what I perceive, how do I know what is right or good?  The decision to choose a specific path should become a far more contemplative task, causing great consideration and reflection.  However for many people (if time is spent on these questions at all) a sprint to summary judgment with not much intellectual endeavor rules their final answer.  Even when confronted with a direct contradiction to their feeble opinion or faced with a noteworthy challenge to their current perception, they choose not to re-evaluate but to stay steadfast in their faltering beliefs.  So how do we know when to resign our faulty conclusion and go with a new perspective?  In what way does the process of changing our mind occur?  The answer to these questions may not have anything to do with the truthful reality of a given situation, but more to do with self-image or our environmental conditioning.  Admitting we are wrong is not an easy admission.  Likewise, giving up an entrenched belief in something we thought for a long time to be true is just as hard, whatever the truth of the matter.  The reason for this relates to our inner psychological ego or the strength of our individual will.  In either case, the change from what we thought to be correct to what is now known to be correct can be very difficult.  But when, and how do we change our opinion?  In another words, how do we truly know what we know?

Putting a side for a moment the need here to define things like truth, knowledge, knowing and other terms that directly relate to epistemology or logic, the process of knowing what we know is mindboggling.  It is much like the search for God.  It is almost impossible to ever come to a definitive conclusion for when we do, we stop any further input thereby halting the process of greater and greater knowledge.  Instead, once we have made a stance, that stance should last only for as long as the evidence that supports our conclusion is valid or relevant.  As new information is obtained we should incorporate it with what we know and come to a greater understanding.  Ideally, this is the process of intellectual growth.  Unfortunately this kind of growth takes large amounts of human energy for which most people are too impatient or lazy to spend.  Again, ease of process is what we drift towards.  Perhaps this is one reason why today, leisure entertainment and mindless thinking is so prevalent.  We are just not willing to spend the effort working out all the critical issues.  On the other hand, continuously re-evaluating all the evidence may prevent or prolong a decisive moment.  The balance between evaluating information and taking a direction is tricky.  If we act hastily we may cause unintentional harm and not acting soon enough maybe just as wrong.  So what do we do?  We put our best foot forward, weigh the evidence at hand and choose a direction, hoping our choice is the right one.

As a Universal Spiritualist, knowledge is constantly evolving.  Nothing is known today that will not be better known tomorrow.   We may suffer setbacks and at times seem to be spinning our wheels, but the progression towards a greater and greater understanding is inevitable.  Only ignorance, stemming from primitive fear, threatens human intellectual development.  Just as the universe continues to accelerate and expand, so does our mental potential thereby bringing us closer and closer to the knowledge of the infinite mind of God.

What is the Physical World?

The physical world is everything we can experience through our senses.  This includes physical laws, all things of matter, and all human constructions and conventions.

What is the Spiritual Realm?

The spiritual realm (described here with the limitations of language) is all of that which is unknowable using physical world techniques.  It is that which can only be known by our intuition or internal instincts and confirmed by an intrinsic “positive” outcome.  It is without substance and completely void of all dualistic limits.  It is without time and therefore unending.  It is comprised of continuous regenerating “aggregate energy” that provides cohesion to all physical things.  It is the unseen GLU that holds together all that is.

Does God Need to Exist?

God has no needs or wants.  God just is.  This statement is the only statement within the Universal Spiritual philosophy that requires a pure leap of faith.  However, to support this leap is the total amount of obtainable knowledge that exists in the universe along with our individual life existence.

Do We Need to Die to go to Heaven?

We are already in Heaven.  The Earth and all its resources provide for all life on the planet.  The breathtaking beauty and spectacular symmetry of nature is representative of “God’s infinite mind” as the physical world.  However, if we take unfair advantage of our resources, continue to exploit the Earth’s environment for personal gain, and put the planet out of ecological balance, we are harming or destroying the Heaven that is our sole responsibility.

What is Death?

Death is the transition between the physical world and the spiritual realm. Upon death, all of our neurological connections slowly detach, allowing our mind’s spiritual energy to disperse throughout the universs while reconnecting with all things spiritual.  Our spiritual energy becomes a part of the total spiritual force of the universe or the totality of God.  It becomes intermingled with the spiritual energy of our love ones, all past living things and God itself.  At some point, our spiritual energy is transformed back into living matter.  It may not take the form of a human being, although it could, but some other glorious representation of God’s infinite mind.

Coming to Terms with Death (The Final Beginning)

Death is the single most frightening of all human experiences.  What happens once we die is completely unknowable.  Regardless of religious ideology, the plain truth is as human beings, we have absolutely no knowledge of, nor can we ever have knowledge of this universal commonality.  Although there are many teachings on the subject in terms of religious texts, philosophical discussions, and artistic reflections, no science or mathematical observation can provide dependable insight on this ultimate destination.  Even when we consult with people who have had “a near death experience” the fact is they are alive to tell of their close encounter but their information is bias because death did not really occur.  So is there anything we can know about death outside of its finality and eternity?

To begin we must first acknowledge that our discussion is from the disadvantage point of being alive.  Nothing we can say about death will be valid in terms of what it is like to be dead, how does is feel or where do we go.  All these terms are bias to our living condition.  Therefore we must try to discuss death in away that can help us come to terms with this inevitability and learn how to manage the fear of death that at some point we all must face, and we must do this in such away that our conclusions have a valid perspective even though we draw those conclusions from a living standpoint.

First, there are a few given truths we can know without doubt.  Death is infinite.  It is an single event that we cannot return from the way in which we exist today.  Death is transforming.  Once dead our physical substance decays and serves as an energy source for other living beings.  Death is inclusive.  Everything dies with no exception.  From the smallest of living creatures to the largest star, death is always waiting.   Death is non-prejudice.  Rich or poor, murderous or saintly, male or female, black, white, red, yellow or brown, death awaits us all.  Because of these obvious truths, we can now make some knowledgeable and valid assumptions about death.  First and foremost, life exists and physically continues regardless of our own existence.  While we watch others pass on, our life remains and that of those living around us.  Because of death’s infinite nature, our death “experience” is far greater in length than the longest lifetime.  Because it is all-inclusive we join everything that ever was.  And because death is non-prejudicial, for the first time, we are truly equal with all and one with the universe.  However, knowing these truths may not give us much consolation.  So what can we do to prepare for this inevitability?

For one, try and live a good, full and happy life.  Try and avoid or at the very least minimize anything that may cause a hasty finality for you and other beings.  They are just as susceptible to death as you.  Be mindful of the world around you and do what you can to show respect and love for all things.  Give to others without expectation and understand our purpose is to learn, love, teach and die while leaving what we have accomplished to positively benefit the human condition.  And most of all: be conscious and extremely grateful for every waking moment.  Each moment is totally unique and very precious. Don’t waist a second on things that do not benefit others and the world around us.

But why should we do this?  Why not take advantage of everything and every body?  Since there is only one go-around, take everything we can get and don’t worry about anyone else in the process—their life is their responsibility.  “It is not for me to subsidize those who refuse to take their rightful share.”  This self-serving attitude, though totally valid, does not enrich the human condition, but rather accelerates the time of death for everything.  In all cases, working together for the benefit of everyone will always extend life expectancy while self-absorption can only result in global decay.  As a meaningful human being, extending life, making it better for all, is truly what our purpose is, here on this physical plane.
 
As far as death, it will come.  Be prepared for your own death and of those around you. Make sure you leave the physical world with a clear conscience.  Forgive those that may have harmed you and forgive yourself for the harm you may have caused others by admitting wrong doings.  Try not to worry about or fear death.  Remember, you had no concerns whatsoever before your existence, even though that time period is as infinitely long as the time will be once you have past on.  Death only has meaning to those who are alive.  As a spiritual entity residing in the infinite spiritual realm, physical concerns will have very little meaning, if any at all.

Finally, death is the ceasing of an individual’s energy flow.  But as we know and have already stated, energy cannot be destroyed.  It can only be transformed.  How that transformation takes place, when it will occur, what new form will it take, and where, are all questions we can never answer.  All we can know is upon our death, the universe will continue with our transformed energy.  However, time is relative.  Therefore, no matter how long our life is or how long the universe lasts after we are gone, once everything has passed on, it may not be so physically important.  We will finally be complete, without want or need, at equilibrium with all things, residing together as one in some part of God’s infinite mind.

What is Consciousness?

Consciousness is the state of physical awareness that connects our mind to God’s infinite mind.  We are conscious as we take personal responsibility for our actions and consider the good of all when making a choice.

What is the Flow?

The “flow” is an individual’s “spiritual current” of time as we move through the physical world.  Time is a physical constant regardless of its perceived amount.  It exists for both the individual and the all.  As an individual, we have our own precious moment of time.  Our moment of time is spiritually integrated into the all of time.  As we move through time, the choices we make and the actions we take are stirred into the flow of all.  When we do helpful deeds, we move with the flow smoothly, evenly and swiftly, making great gains and advances for everyone along the way.  Our helpful deeds are rewarded by the return of helpful deeds of others.  When we do harmful deeds, we move against the flow, bumping and crashing into obstacles that were created by the harmful deeds of others.  Like a stream filled with trash or an artery filled with deposits, harmful deeds impede the flow for everyone.  To move through the flow in complete harmony, we must not only be “mindful” of our deeds; we must also be “mindful” of the harmful deeds caused by others and work to change them as well.  By doing so, the flow becomes beneficial for everyone, which in turn ultimately helps us to realize the true spiritual purpose of our physical life existence.

Rules of the Flow

• Our actions affect all

• If we do good things then good things happen to all

• If we do bad things then bad things happen to all

• If we do nothing then nothing happens at all

• Think carefully before acting

• Our actions are the model for others
  

Because the flow encompasses the helpful and harmful deeds of so many individuals, it is sometimes difficult to discern the effect of our single deed on the outcome of all.  Just like a pebble dropped into a large body of water may seem insignificant, the waves produced by the pebble still move out from the center in all directions, eventually reaching everywhere.  Our harmful deeds have the same rippling affect.  The only difference is we must live with the result of our bad decision, the negative outcome it has on others, and the discomforting knowledge of our wrong choice as a part of our infinite spiritual destiny.

The Purpose of Prayer

Prayer is the focusing of our limited spiritual energy while we exist in the physical world.  It is like an open stream that bends and flows with the course of one’s life as it moves through time and space.  At a point of purpose we may place a message adrift in the stream, wishing our words will be found and answered by a greater spiritual force than ourselves.  The stream flows into the river and then into the ocean.  The water of the stream evaporates into the sky and comes down in the form of rain.  The rain blesses the ground and sustains life for the existence of all.  Our message is answered in a way we may not immediately realize, understand or directly benefit from, but our message is answered.  Because prayer is focused spiritual energy, the more individuals praying for a specific purpose, the stronger the current may become.  Forceful currents in the ocean change environmental conditions over the land thereby affecting everyone in some way. The power of prayer is far-reaching and intrinsic, providing incredible hope and infinite meaning while allowing us to give thanks for all that is.

The Profound Value of Life

Life is a very precious and wonderful thing.  It is unique to all and individual by nature.  If you consider the odds of your own natural selection, the chance of existence can be easily compared to winning the lottery.  Even though we may appreciate the significance of our life, we sometimes lose sight of its worth.  So how can we get a substantial feel for life’s profound value?

Try and imagine the amount of time that has occurred before your existence.  From infinity comes the beginning of the universe or what we know as the “big bang” 13.8-billion years ago.  Now consider the formation of the Earth roughly 4.5-billion years ago, Think about the appearance of the first single-celled creature about 2-billion years ago, the start of the Mesozoic Era roughly 250-million years ago, and the Jurassic period about 70-million years ago.  Now try to imagine all the stages of evolutionary primate development leading up to the appearance of biped Homo sapiens or human beings about a million years ago.  Now consider the ancient Egyptian culture, 7000 years ago; the Golden Age of Greek thinking, 2500 years ago; the rise of the Roman Empire 2000 years ago; and then the Dark Ages, 800 years ago.  Now consider the Renaissance 500 years ago, the French Enlightenment 350 years ago, the start of the Industrial Revolution and the birth of our nation, all most 250 years ago.  Now think about the beginning of the 20^th century.  Think about World Wars One and Two, the cold war, the Korean and Vietnam wars, the first and second Gulf wars.

Somewhere in the last 75 years you were probably born.  If you live a “good” life and are lucky enough to avoid the violence that exists in our culture today, you may live for 80 or 90 years.  However, once you have passed on, consider the amount of time that will occur after your life has ended.  Since no one can really foresee the future, let’s consider what we do know for sure starting with the death of our sun about 4.5-billion years from now. Finally, the end of our universe that is not known but could be estimated somewhere in the range of 10 to 20-billion years from now.  After that event, either the cycle will repeat with variation, or infinity will return.

If you take into account the infinite amount of time that passed before your existence, and all the infinite time that will occur after your death, you can clearly see how your life is but a drop in the vast unending ocean of time.  Enlightened with this understanding, we should come to realize how profoundly valuable is each waking, conscious moment we have on the Earth and the profound value of each individual life that exists around us on this planet.

The True Purpose of Jesus Christ

As a Universal Spiritualist, we accept the existence and importance of all religions as aggregate parts of “God’s infinite mind,” and that no one religion can own the entire spiritual truth.  However, we do recognize that within many religious ideologies there have been individuals that have stood out as that religion’s spiritual leader or prophet.  One such person was Jesus of Nazareth.

Jesus was and is the spiritual leader on which Christianity was founded.  Unfortunately, many Christians today seem to be misguided as to what is Jesus’ earthly and spiritual significance or his true purpose.  Without doubt and by all accepted accounts, Jesus was a man of peace.  At no time did he ever raise his hand to harm another, lift a weapon to kill another or even argue to defend his life or to protect his physical existence.  If we read about the life of Christ and what he said as it is portrayed in the Bible’s New Testament, we must come to the inevitable conclusion that any violent or unloving act toward another person would be unacceptable to Jesus.  On this fact, the record is quite clear.

When it came time for Jesus to surrender his freedom in the garden of Gethsemane, he did nothing to stop the soldiers from taking him into custody.  Although Jesus’ disciples tried to defend him, Jesus instead gave aid and comfort to the enemy by healing an ear of a wounded soldier.  Then after his self-representative defenseless trial, as an ultimate example of a non-violent person, Jesus forgave those who condemned him to death as a final act of immeasurable love.  It is in this manner that Jesus would want us to respond towards any harmful deed or violent action we may encounter.

Another example of how Jesus would want us to act is written in Mathew.  Jesus’ famous Sermon on the Mount clearly outlines the type of behavior needed to “obtain the kingdom of heaven.”  In this incredible sermon, Jesus clarifies what was meant by “thou shalt not kill” and “love thy neighbor.”  He redefines the idea of “an eye for an eye.”  He goes on to say that it is better to pluck out your own eye or cut off your own hand rather than do violence to another.  The entire sermon, known today as the “Be Attitudes,” was given to us just so Jesus could specify and emphasize the importance of non-violent action and unconditional love.

Finally, there is one other indicator that relates to the type of Christians we may be and in what it is that we truly believe.  Consider the following: if you support war as a just form of conflict resolution, if you believe in the rights of those who forcefully defend elite control over others, or if you wish for yourself immeasurable material wealth, then you may want to reexamine the story of Jesus.  Nowhere is it written or even implied in Christ’s words that just war, elite control and/or material wealth, are worthy Christian values.  In fact, it was those very attributes that would come to pass, forecasting Jesus’ crucifixion.

As individuals we should look at Jesus’ example, ask ourselves what is it we truly value and see if that value matches the model of love, compassion, peace, understanding and forgiveness that is the true purpose of Jesus of Nazareth.

Condemnation of Righteousness (The Man Who Saved the World)

Throughout our life we make choices.  What those choices are depends on our internal ethical and psychological profile.  For most of us, we try to do the right thing.  We provide assistance, offer help, give of ourselves and share what we have with those less fortunate. Although there is no proof one way or the other that doing these things will assure us a peaceful stay in the everlasting spiritual realm, we do them because somewhere deep inside we know it to be right.   However, within some traditional religious beliefs, always doing the right or good thing is not enough.  Take for example the man who saved the world.

Once upon a time there was a man.  This man was very good.  When he was a small boy he would help is mother around the house without question, always clearing the table after meals, picking up his toys when finished, and putting his close in the laundry, not leaving them around the house for his mother to find.  As he got older, he would help his friends by fixing their vehicles for nothing, assisting the when they were in trouble and always listening as he was concerned for their health and wellbeing.  This man worked hard in school by studding long hours, working in groups of other students so that he would be able to learn and share ideas and most of all, work to become the very best Astronomer possible.  After many years of schooling, he began working for a prestigious public agency that managed orbiting astrological telescopes. During this time and when not at work, he volunteers for the local homeless shelter, organizes clothing drives for the needy, and make sure to not turn away when severely disabled people needed assistance with their personal care.

One night while the man was observing a specific quadrant in deep space, he saw something he could not explain.  Something very unusual caused what would be normally an empty region of space, a stellar anomaly.  He told his colleagues about the unusual observation but none of them could verify his findings.  After many long and persistent hours of observation, the man finally realized what he was seeing.  A large, uncharted asteroid was speeding at an incredible velocity towards the Earth.  Immediately he began to devise a plan to redirect the trajectory of the incoming object.   Since he was the one who discovered the asteroid he was appointed the head of the team to work on the problem.  Through his guidance, wisdom and compassion for the planet, a laser-beam system was built and used to redirect the asteroid out of harm’s way.  Although the man did not accomplish the task all by himself, he was the one primarily responsible for the outcome.  He was in fact, the man who saved the world.

Now, let’s assume that the man is not religious, having no affiliation with any faith or organized religion, only holding true to the ideal of love and respect for all things.  If this were in deed the case, we would begin to fine that his life-long commitment to unconditional goodness was not enough to keep him from eternal damnation according to many theological belief practices.  For example, within Christian theology, if we do not except Christ as our savior and that he died for our sins we will suffer in hell.  There are no exceptions.  This premise creates an ethical dilemma.  Regardless of ones actions, we are dammed unless we accept and believe the above Christian presupposition. If so, we may do all the right things at all times throughout our lives such as giving to all without question, helping others without expectation, providing assistance without having to be asked, and sharing what we have with all in need, and still wind up burning in hell.  This outcome begs the question, how just is the Christian ideal? 

The man who saved the world from destruction, saving God’s creation for all people to continue to enjoy is sentence to eternal damnation, (according to Christian theology) because he thought of others more than he cared about his own personal salvation.  The argument could be made that he did not do all the right things because he did not accept Christ as his savior.  However, if he never learned about this Christian law because of his family’s culture, how could he be held responsible for not knowing he needed to be saved?  If it were then argued, because he did not honestly know of this condition he would not be held responsible, than it is better not to have knowledge of Christ at all and live free without question of damnation.

All of this comes down to, how can spiritual justice best be served?  Is it better to believe in a savior prophet from a particular religious theology and not be concerned with our personal deeds, or is there an ethical spiritual conduct that is above all Earthly religious presuppositions? The choice is clearly up to the individual.  As a Universal Spiritualist, always doing what is right for all is the righteous choice.  We may not know just what “right” is but we work at implementing the universal spiritual principles stated throughout this text and live with the knowledge of how our actions affect all.  Regardless of any external religious presupposition, how we act and the responsibility we take for those actions, emulates for us the goodness that is God’s infinite mind.

The Contradiction of Total Forgiveness

One of the more interesting theological discussions is the idea of total forgiveness.  Although forgiveness is a very important part of our human nature, we must be clear on how and why forgiveness can affect our actions.  For example, in Christian theology total forgiveness illustrated by the sacrificial death of Jesus means no matter how bad one might act, if you believe in Christ and that he died for our sins, “ye shall be saved.”  This is where the contradiction of total forgiveness comes into play.  If we accept Jesus as our savior and believe as true the above premise, how can we be held accountable for our actions knowing we will be “saved,” and if we are “saved” regardless of our actions, why should we be concerned about the actions we may take?  Although Christ’s intention was never for us to act ethically frivolous, many Christians today subconsciously employ total forgiveness as a useful justification to act in harmful ways.  As a Universal Spiritualist, total forgiveness is replaced by unconditional understanding.  If we live by the universal spiritual principles stated above, in no case should forgiveness be needed.  If we are to act in some fashion that is harmful to another, we must immediately take responsibility for our action, apologize and examine our choice, and make the necessary changes to avoid the same wrong result.  After this process, forgiveness may be employed as a way to relieve the guilt that comes with making any human mistake.

Profound Historical Bookends

In 1945, Albert Einstein, the father of atomic energy and the theory of relativity said, “the unleashed power of the atom has changed everything save our modes of thinking and thus we drift towards unparalleled catastrophe.”  2000 years ago, near the Sea of Galilee, a man by the name of Jesus said, “love thy enemy.”  Could these two men be talking about the same thing?

The Evolution of Consciousness

When we look at the amount of change our species has gone through since the appearance of Homo sapiens about a million years ago, we would see a steady progression towards a more complex living and social structure.  From primitive man living in small groups of wandering scavengers and gatherers to fully developed agricultural and industrial-based cities, it is clear just how often human beings adapt to fit within a variety of habitats.  During this period, changes to the physiology of human beings are also evident in a wide variety of genetic characteristics such as body hair, height, strength and color.  These characteristic adaptations suit the needs of a given people within a particular location.  Still, basic human traits regardless of location, culture or social order remain fairly regular throughout the species despite environmental diversity.  In the early 19^th century, Charles Darwin, the father of evolution and natural selection, observed just how similar many species seemed to be.  Although each species had unique mannerisms within their environment, the likenesses between the species far out weighed their differences.  This gave Darwin a cause to wonder if all life were descendants from the same genetic family tree.  Today we know this as fact.  There is an abundance of fossil remains, chemical similarities and carbon dating techniques that point to a common ancestor from our ancient past.  This common ancestor goes back further than primates, even though human beings are the direct descendants of primates, it goes back as far as single cell organisms that appeared more than 3.5 billion years ago.  We can take this evolutionary process back one step further because the truth is we are made out of the chemicals produced by the collapse of giant dying stars.

Moving forward from this point we should come to the realization that we, human beings of today, are possibly the last in a long line of our evolutionary progression.  The reason for this is we now possess the means to circumvent the process of natural selection thereby altering or halting the evolutionary process all together.  With advance medical and genetic technology, the weak and imperfect can now survive.  Ethically, these advancements in medicine and medical science are a good thing.  Instead of killing our sick and deformed young, we do everything in our power to help them have a meaningful and purposeful life.  Although there are many places on the planet today that are deplorable in regards to how individuals are treated, there is a slow developing change in human consciousness that may awaken us to a bigger purpose than just thinking of only ourselves.  This change in consciousness is not unlike Darwin’s process of natural selection.  For if we do not change or adapt our current state of human consciousness, we as a species on this planet, will surely become extinct.

So what might this evolution of consciousness be like?  How would it look?  For one, and most importantly, we would finally understand that violence is unacceptable as a form of conflict resolution. This dynamic shift in thinking would transform our species and social environment forever.  Our need for weapons, big and small, would be totally eliminated.  This would allow funding for more development in humanistic ideals such as education, art, music, philosophy, personal enrichment and cultural appreciation.  We would now have the revenue to feed and house all the world’s peoples and globally deal with any large-scale crises that may occur.  There would be giant leaps in medical technology and sickness would be eradicated.  We would have a completely different economic structure.  No longer would there be any form of classism and the preservation of the Earth’s environment would be primary and upheld by all.  There would be an abundance of wealth and knowledge because all would be accepted as collective.  No longer killing each other for territory, we would begin to move out into space taking our rightful place with other advanced civilizations in the galaxy.

As a Universal Spiritualist, this evolutionary change in consciousness is at hand. To see all things as one coexisting aggregate energy consciousness is how we perceive the world around us.  Although we cannot deny our individual existence, the mere fact that we all need oxygen, water, food, love, care and purpose is common throughout the human condition.  Add to this the physical and chemical similarities mentioned above, and we cannot help to admit our Earthly kinship.  Once we comprehend the evolutionary idea that we are not peoples of a particular country, culture and/or religion, but simply Earthlings, the evolution of consciousness will finally begin to condense.  However, working against us is our primitive instinctual fear.  Therefore, a large part of the evolution of consciousness is overcoming or rationally managing these basic fears.  This perhaps is the single greatest challenge we face today.  For it is the fear of the unknown that keeps us disconnected from each other, and the all of “God’s infinite mind.”

Religious Intoxication

As a Universal Spiritualist, the struggle of everyday life is great.  Trying to be as God is incredibly challenging and ultimately impossible in the physical world.  All we can do is strive for something close to perfection knowing we will never fully reach this achievement while we are alive.  Our path at times can be unrewarding and even frustrating.  We may find ourselves alone, unnoticed and criticized for the work we do.  Since the idea of God, as a Universal Spiritualist is individual and internal, there are no group support systems or established traditions such as those found in other religious philosophies.  Our only purpose is to help others by giving of our selves.  By doing so, we increase the total level of goodness for all.  This level of goodness we may or may not directly benefit from however, we move forward with a sober ideal knowing our choices and actions affect everything.  Because of this ideal, our individual choice and resulting action must be “good” and beneficial for all.  Since individual choice and action are fundamental, what is the affect of groups of individuals making the same choice and taking the same action?  By definition, this is impossible in the physical world.  Every choice and/or action is independent and unique to the individual.  This is an important and powerful concept considering how dynamic group decisions affect our everyday life.  The actions taken by a group can, in some cases, be extremely harmful depending on the motivating influence.  For example: If you were among a group of angry people calling for the execution of an innocent man, you might surrender control placing your responsibility on the emotional energy of the crowd and not with yourself.  This type of influence can be persuasive and intoxicating, causing you to act in ways you wouldn’t as an individual.  As the group dissipates, you regain your composure and either accept or deny your part in the outcome.  This same kind of peer group influence is capitalized on by many organized religions however, with a greater narcotic effect.

Religious intoxication, especially within large crowds, can yield highly emotional results motivating and influencing people to do things that are unusual, bazaar and even dangerous.  The narcotic effect is so powerful, like any euphoric drug, can spill over and affect our daily life causing us to do things that are outside of what is our “normal behavior.”  In this intoxicated state, anything can happen.  From spinning feverishly, rocking uncontrollably, uttering unintelligible noises to acting with intimidation, pressuring through guilt and harming by conviction, the power of religious intoxication can be costly in more ways than one.  The fascinating thing about religious intoxication, besides it’s connection to addiction, it’s contrary to the domestic rule of law.  For the most part, under the umbrella of religion, the described manifestations mentioned above are completely justifiable without question.  Just as hysterical laughter, babbling uncontrollably and/or communing with “God” is justifiable when smoking or ingesting hallucinogenic substances; religious intoxication becomes a vital and acceptable part of the religious-group experience.  However, individually on the outside these behaviors would be seen as disruptive and possibly lawbreaking.  When the individual is removed from the group and faced with his or her personal responsibility, the religious narcotic that once controlled their emotions can no longer protect them from the reality of their individual choice.  They are alone and sober, totally responsible for the choices they make and actions they take.  And what are those choices?

Choosing Armageddon

As a Universal Spiritualist, we accept all religious ideologies as valued parts of “God’s infinite mind.”  Whether you participate in the ritual of Holy Communion as in Catholicism, speak in tongues as Pentecostals, give thanks to the land, rain, trees and other inanimate objects as the Native American Indians or roll down a hill to show trust in the Lord as a Holy Roller.  Whatever your religious beliefs, it is given full respect by Universal Spiritualists.  However, there is one religious belief, or concept, that is completely intolerable.  That is the idea that one and only one religion owns the entire spiritual truth and therefore the exclusive blessings of “God.”  Throughout human history this single notion has been responsible for more death and destruction than any other human concept.  This self-righteous belief is by no means divine, or even civil in its nature.  Unfortunately, this prejudicial belief is the fundamental assumption mandated by many conventional theologies.  The idea that God is only on the side of one particular religion or race of people is completely ridiculous and extremely dangerous.  This unbending mindset has been the root cause for so many historical human tragedies.  Tragedies such as the burning of the library at Alexandria in Egypt, the European crusades of the Middle Ages, and more recently, the mass-suicide at Jonestown, the deaths of the Branch Davidians in Waco, Texas and even the destruction of the World Trade Center in New York City.  All these tragic events can be traced back to the monaurally superior religious concept.  Now, if a single ideology that has an influential control over a large majority of the planet instills in its followers the idea that the self-generated, irresponsible environmental erosion and resulting moral decay of the species is a divine sign of the end times and is willing to accept the death and destruction of the entire planet as “God’s will;” do we as responsible human beings not have the right to question and reverse their self-inflicted suicidal intent? 

To choose Armageddon---that is to say, to do nothing to cure the dysfunctional dogmatic mindset that is willing to condemn everyone on the planet to a destructive religious intoxicated psychosis---is not the way of Universal Spiritualists nor is it in any way a spiritually righteous idea.  In fact, if the amount of horror that is predicted in the Bible’s Book of Revelations is to occur and we go on to justify the damning of the world as God’s work, you may find yourself worshipping something other than a truly loving God.  As a Universal Spiritualist, this kind of irresponsible behavior is beyond rational thought.  If we hold true to the Universal Spiritual principles of unconditional giving, loving and understanding, realize that we are entirely responsible for our actions and know by harming another we harm God, then the prediction for this catastrophic event will not come to pass.  However, if we continue to hate and kill one another for the purpose of monaural religious domination, then “Armageddon” will occur not because of prophetic fulfillment, but by willful ignorance and sheer stupidity.

If free will is truly granted to us as traditional theology suggests, then we have the ability, freedom and right to completely avoid the holocaust of Armageddon.  If we refuse to, because of some ancient, orally passed-on metaphoric prediction, then we will be solely responsible for the destruction of God’s greatest gift, thereby condemning ourselves to a spiritually infinite hell.

About Free Will

Free will is one of the most profound philosophical discussions of all time.  For thousands of years, great minds have been debating whether we have the freedom to choose our own destiny or if our actions are pre-determined.  This dualistic discussion is only relevant when Man and God are conceptualized in the physical world as two separate beings.  In this scenario, both Man and God act independently with one entity being defined as all-knowing.  If God is all-knowing, Man’s free will cannot exist, or the purpose of existence is without meaning.  Why is this so?  It is because all-knowing means God already knows the outcome of an event before the event occurs.  If God knows the outcome of a race before the race occurs, there is no unknown, free possibility regarding the winner leaving us with the question, what is the point of the race?  If God does not know the outcome of the race before the finish line, then God is not all-knowing, and therefore limited in scope and power.  If Man truly has free will, no one, not even God, can know the outcome of an individual’s choice.  If Man is pre-determined, then the purpose of existence is a meaningless, self-indulgent game that God plays alone.  This again highlights the contradiction and limitation of God as an external entity.  However, if Man and God are one “collective coexisting aggregate energy consciousness,” in the physical world, we choose as God chooses and act as God acts.  There is no distance between choice and action.  We move simultaneously in an infinite number of possible directions just as the universe continues to expand.

The Riddle of the Rock

Once upon a time, a small boy asked his father “If God is all-powerful and able to do anything, could he create a rock so big, he would be unable to pick it up?”  How did his father reply?

If we assume that God is truly omnipotent, his ability to increase the size and weight of the rock is in direct conflict with his ability to pick it up.  As the rock gets infinitely larger and heavier, the strength needed to lift it also becomes infinitely as large.  The size and weight of the rock, along with the strength needed, continues to grow indefinitely with no resolution to the paradox.

The father then turned to the little boy, smiled and said, “My son, that’s simple: God is the rock.”

When Man and God are two separate beings, the conflict is instantaneously created with no resolution in sight.  If it is argued that God can both create and lift an infinitely large rock simultaneously, then God becomes meaningless, surviving an unending, direct contradiction. In another words, God can be and not be simultaneously.  However, when Man and God exist as one “collective coexisting aggregate energy consciousness” the infinite size, weight and strength needed to resolve the riddle is no longer at issue.  God is the rock and therefore spiritually infinite and physically internal, preventing the rise of any dualistic dimensional conflict.

The Roll of the Dice (Theory, Probability, Fact or Faith)

How we come to know nature and the universe using our brain, the scientific method and the tools of technology seem inconclusive to many people who see theology as the only true way of explaining reality.  They say that in the final analysis, all science is just theory, constantly changing without explicit, concrete proof.  From the big bang to evolution, these concepts are unstable, constantly changing, being reevaluated, reinvented and therefore meaningless facts.  On the other hand, God is the soul individual responsible for the universe and his will is above all things.  All that is required is faith in God and all is ours.  There is no need to wonder about who or what we are, where we came from or how to make things better as we are the children of God.  As children of God all we are to do is serve, have faith and follow his word and all will be provided.

But is this really the truth? Why did God give us such an infinitely complex nature and powerful mental capacity if we are not to use it?  These questions are answered by accepting the idea that our human senses are extremely limited and therefore we are unable to truly know anything about anything.  But just because our senses are fallible and some things are known theoretically, does that make everything unknowable?  Let us roll two dice and see.

In theory, we roll two dice and two numbers should appear.  The probability of those two numbers equaling seven is greater than equaling two. The fact is that numerical dice have numbers printed on them and our faith hopes that when they stop, they are the numbers we want.  So which of these four concepts provide us with truly useful information when rolling two dice?

1. In theory, we roll the dice and two numbers should appear.  We can roll the dice and when they stop, the doorbell could ring, a dog could bark, or a car horn could honk, but, in theory and because the dice are numerical, two numbers will appear.  The doorbell, dog bark and car horn are only coincidental, but the dice by definition are most likely to fall on a particular side thereby revealing a set of numerical values or numbers.

2. The probability of those two numbers equaling seven is greater than equaling two.  Because standard numerical dice have six adjacent sides, six individual numerical values, 1 - 6, printed on the dice and assuming the dice are “fair” or balanced, the probability of then rolling a seven for which there are six possible combinations, is greater than rolling a two for which there is only one.  The probability of rolling a 13 or -1 is impossible if we assume the dice are standard numerical dice.

3. The fact is that standard numerical dice have six adjacent sides with six individual numerical characters, 1 – 6, which is given, any other symbol printed on the dice removes them from our comparison and therefore holds no value in this discussion.

4. Faith holds us to the conviction that however the dice fall, it is the way in which God wants things to be.  If we have enough faith, we may even cause the dice to fall in the way we wish.  Regardless of how the dice fall, we believe it is the correct outcome, allowing any numerical result to be the right combination, rendering the outcome to be totally valueless.

Now, if we examine these four presuppositions we can easily see all of them are relevant to rolling standard numerical dice.  However, the first three provide meaningful information directly related to our perception of the dice, what the possible outcomes of the dice are, and how that outcome is related to the value of the dice themselves.  The fourth, invalidates the meaning of the dice and provides the justification for eliminating the dice altogether.

As a Universal Spiritualist, it is our choice to roll the dice or not.  If we roll the dice we accept responsibility for our perception, outcome, and value of the dice.  We then can choose to look and see how our spirituality could have an affect on the dice.  If we choose not to roll the dice, disclaim their validity or deny their existence altogether, we have no legitimate right to the knowledge that comes from the outcome of the roll. The probability that rolling dice exist is equivalent to the probability that we exist. Spirituality, whatever that may be, is our influence on the dice in flight.  Once the dice land however, our existence brings value to the dice as they rest upon the table.  The value of the dice, their probability, how they got there, and even the table on which they lie are all parts of the mysterious game of life for which we call “God’s infinite mind.”

The Flat Land Analogy

Throughout human history, there have been dynamic shifts in philosophical and scientific thinking that has changed our perception of reality and understanding of the universe.  One of the most effective models for illustrating this type of change or shift in thinking is the Flat Land analogy.  Made famous by Dr. Carl Sagan, it describes a two-dimensional place where all the inhabitants only understand two-dimensional concepts.  Everything for the inhabitants of Flat Land is in terms of width and depth.  The Flat Lander’s go about their everyday business living, procreating, dying and worshiping with no question until a three-dimensional object suddenly appears.  Since height is not a part of their knowledge, the Flat Lander’s are completely ignorant and fearful of the three-dimensional object that truly represents the world in which they live.  They make up a story to explain the unknown phenomena that has displaced and challenged their perception of reality.  In so doing, they begin to blame other Flat Lander’s for their inability to conceptualize a three-dimensional object in their two-dimensional world.  Fights and wars break out between the Flat Lander’s while each proclaims to know the true meaning of the three-dimensional object.  Finally, a large group of Flat Land inhabitants develop the technology and find the justification to erase all two-dimensional figures throughout Flat Land.  They say, by erasing all of Flat Land, they are fulfilling the purpose of the three-dimensional object and returning Flat Land to its original peaceful state.

Although the above analogy is modified to demonstrate the purpose of this text, the parallelism between the external; two-dimensional “Heaven and Hell” God model, and the internal; omni-dimensional “all is within” God model is still evident.  As the Flat Lander’s fight over whose interpretation of the three-dimensional object is the correct one, the three-dimensional object in all its grand purpose “just is.”  Its existence simultaneously defines all of Flat Land or the physical world, and the unknowable (to the Flat Land inhabitants) third dimension of the spiritual realm.  What makes this analogy so profound is the resolution to the Flat Land phenomena is a simple look into a new direction…up.

As a Universal Spiritualist, the new direction, “upward” is in actuality a look, “inward.”  To see God in all people, things and ideas, and understand that it is our actions that determine spiritual destiny is the only path that will not lead to self-destruction.  If we are to survive as the human species and retain a concept of God, we either eliminate the disciples of every minority religion on the face of the planet forcing a one-world religion, or begin to accept all religions as integrated parts of the totality that is God’s infinite mind.  This idea, we suggest, is a dynamic shift in spiritual thinking and the central point to this entire discussion.  Although there have been shifts in all other aspects of human development, only spirituality in its traditional form, remains unchanged.  If we realize that God is in all things and all people, we would then shift the amount of respect we have for God to the entire world and the universe, making everything to be considered as sacred.  This is what Universal Spirituality is all about.

To Talk without Speaking

As a Universal Spiritualist, we recognize that by stating our thoughts and ideas we maybe looked upon as preaching.  We understand how sharing the philosophy of Universal Spirituality could be seen as bearing witness or giving testimony.  However, this is true regardless of whatever one is trying to say.  The underlying principle within human communication is the exchange of ideas and experiences.  So why, for some people, does the sharing of ideas cause such discomfort?  The answer may relate to the type of idea that is being shared and the dualistic result that ends in the assumed conclusion: they are right and we are wrong.  We feel this especially when discussing religion.  The truth is there is no right or wrong.  All that is, is within.  Spirituality can only be a personal experience.  It is unique to the individual and no one’s spirituality is better, worse or even the same as another’s.  If we can accept our individual spirituality as part of the all knowing, then there is no need to preach it to anyone else.  We are secure in the idea and at peace in our life.  So, why say anything?

To talk without speaking is for now, a physical impossibility.  It is only reserved for the highest state of spirituality, which in this case maybe beyond mortality or the physical world.  However, as human beings interested in progressing the human condition, refusing to say anything or listening to no one accomplishes nothing.  It is precisely for this reason why we are at spiritual odds with one another.  When we listen to others and patiently communicate our ideas, spiritually or otherwise, we share in a common human experience that allows for learning and enlightenment.  This is the way we grow both mentally and spiritually.  Unfortunately, this process leads to another dualistic human conflict.  We learn through new experiences.  On the other hand, new experiences, because of their ability to affect change, can be frightening.  Thus we are tossed between the desire to learn and the fear of losing sight of who we are.   If we then add to this conflict a conventional religious supposition for example: “my God is the only true God,” we then have created an external lock that keeps the door closed to any further spiritual growth.  In another words, when we say we know God, we have completely stopped our spiritual development.

Regardless of our resistance, in almost every case, learning new things and understanding new concepts continues to occur throughout our entire life.  The process is unstoppable.  The variable lies in the amount of knowledge we are willing to accept.  As we gain more and more experience, we sometimes naively believe we know enough, becoming rigid in our thinking process and acceptance to new ideas.  This also applies to spiritual thought.  However, because of spirituality’s boundless nature, by definition, we can never come to any total conclusion until we pass through to the spiritual realm.  Therefore, we should not stop our search for God but continue to look for, and see God in all things.  By doing so, our actions will reflect God’s true purpose as we share what we’ve learned with all.  Sharing what we’ve learned and lovingly giving of our knowledge is the highest form of human interaction and a testament to the intrinsic meaning that is God’s infinite mind.

A Portrait of God’s Mind

“God’s mind” is like a grand painting, with spectacularly vibrant colors, wonderfully magnificent impressions, powerfully profound meanings with a worldly artistic purpose.  The canvas stretches infinitely in all directions with brush strokes flowing equally as far.  Our life is but a single dot of color on the canvas that changes hue depending on the “goodness” of our individual actions within God’s grand artistic purpose.  Although our actions may change the hue of our dot’s color, thereby changing in some degree the overall picture, it is still a part of the painting and its existence will always be a valued part of God’s infinite mind.

The Church Logo

The design of the church logo is a graphic representation of the church’s philosophy.  Each part of the design symbolizes the aggregate energy consciousness concept.  The dot, or eye of the dove, represents the conscious individual.  The dove, a symbol of peace in an upward climb, represents the spirit containing the individual.  The spirit itself is contained within the heart or center of all things, which in turn is part of and within the universe.  The letters “U” and “S,” at top left descending diagonally to bottom right is in opposition to the rising dove.  This represents the dichotomy between human language and the spiritual realm.  Our inescapable physical dimension frames both the black letters on a white background on the left and the symbolic spiritual graphic on the right.  Just as the inadequacy of language makes it impossible to totally describe God, the design of the graphic can only provide a two-dimensional representation of the philosophy of Universal Spirituality.

The Adolescence of a Species

As we move through our individual existence, we go through many physical and psychological stages in our development.  From an infant, to childhood, adolescence, adulthood, to finally senior citizen, each step along the way provides new knowledge, challenges and insights.  As an adult, we gain the ability to distinguish right from wrong and acquire the patients and understanding to manage the differences between one another.  This ability, excluding any form of mental illness, is what age and maturity is all about.  However, during adolescence, these abilities are only just emerging and for many young adults, the stress and pressure of this highly emotional time can cause addiction, depression, denial, anger, violence, and even death by suicide.  Being unsure of who we are, what is our place in society, what are our spiritual beliefs and individual rights, and whether or not anyone is going to forcefully restrict us from gaining our wants, is the result of limited experiences and youthful insecurities.  Unfortunately, this is precisely the stage at which we are as a species.  If we step back and look at all the major issues we are struggling with on the planet today; issues such as cultural identity, global purpose, religious freedom, human rights and national security, we then can easily see our adolescent primate development. Our adolescents is manifested in the way we violently handle our conflicts, ridicule cultural and religious differences, destroy those we fear and grab all we can in the process.  If we are to survive the challenges of this highly emotional, insecure time period, and become a truly advanced civilization; we must grow up and accept the fact that we are not the center of the universe.  We must also realize by helping those we regard as our enemies, we are actually helping everyone to survive.  Only then will we exhibit the level of maturity necessary to achieve a peaceful coexisting world.

As a Universal Spiritualist, we try hard to put aside our personal insecurities and work for unconditional love and understanding.  By knowing all there is to know about other cultures, peoples, and ideas, we begin the process of universal acceptance thereby elevating our consciousness to a superior point of maturity, intellect and insight.  This level of consciousness allows us to shed primitive superstitions, lose hateful prejudices and embrace universal thought, spiritually uniting “God’s infinite mind” with our own

The Destiny of Universal Spirituality

As a Universal Spiritualist, our destiny as a member of the human species is unimaginable, and rightly so.  To be as God is beyond mortality and nothing, in any form of art, literature, science fiction or even sacred text, can come close to the portrayal of this incredible outcome.  All that can be said for this state of spiritual evolution is “all is within.”  But before ever reaching this conclusion, our species must pass through a series of stages that will be challenging to traditional human values and contemporary religious beliefs.  To begin with, we must come to the realization that violence towards others, in any form, is not an acceptable way of resolving differences or teaching lessons.  This initial stage is crucial and requires a dynamic shift in human thinking.  Because of the overwhelming force of today’s weapons technology, we can no longer act violently or militarily against our neighbor.  As Einstein warned, Jesus preached, Mohamed practiced, Gandy taught, and King demonstrated, we must change our way of thinking or we will surely perish.  What this means is violence: the physical harming of other human beings for the purpose of gaining control must be completely eliminated.  Once we eliminate the idea of using violence as a legitimate form of conflict resolution, and truly grasp the concept of helping not harming, we will have unlocked a level of human potential never before obtained.  The reason for this is having a violent nature is the last of our primitive attributes held over by our basic animal instinct.  When we finally overcome this primitive instinct, all the secret knowledge of the universe will be at our command.  With the loss of violence we will lose all those ugly byproducts that are associated with human violence such as hatred, greed, and prejudice.  In exchange, we will obtain higher spiritual values such as unconditional giving, loving and understanding.  As the application of these values increase, so will our ability to physically sense the feelings and needs of others.  We will begin to develop latent faculties held back by our violent past and reliably experience extra sensory perception, empathic healing, telekinesis and even psychophysical projection.  These “God-like” powers will be the direct result of our non-violent nature.  Along with these emerging senses will come a new level of ethical conduct.

But before this new level of ethics is reached, the next stage or challenge will be faced.  That challenge is: how do we rightfully conduct ourselves given an advanced knowledge of the biological and technical sciences?  We will need to address such dynamic issues as DNA manipulation, human synthesis, and population management.  Like violence, having the ability to intentionally determine genetic outcomes and facilitate purpose through biotechnology, will be a huge physical temptation, great moral struggle and ethical balancing act.  How we handle these physical, moral and ethical eventualities will either make or break the species.  Perhaps this is why we are at the crossroads of human existence.  These complex challenges shake the very core of all we are and what we know.  It’s not unlike being kicked out of the human security through ignorance nest, and placed in the world of reality by our own design or destruction.  What is important to remember is we are, as all things are, the physical representation of God’s infinite mind.  As it has been stated throughout this text, if we do “good” for all people and things, then “good” things will happen for all.  However, if we do harmful things, then harmful things will befall us all.  To harm another is to harm God.  To disrespect another is to disrespect God.  To show consideration, compassion, acceptance and gratitude for all; is a spiritually sacred ideal and as Universal Spiritualists, it is the ideal we continue to strive for in our everyday human existence.

Conclusion

At this point in the discussion, as in human history, we as a species are faced with a clear choice.  We can continue down the road of holy theological conflict, arriving at the horror, destruction, and death brought about by the concept of an external “super being,” or begin the realization of “God’s infinite mind.”  To truly understand that without exception, God is in all things and all peoples.  This will be the only way to avoid harming any thing or any one.  If we harm God by harming others, we risk the level of wellbeing we may obtain when we get to the spiritual realm.  When universal knowledge is finally granted we may be in infinite turmoil knowing that when we should have made the rightful choice, we did not. 

Just as the World Trade Center fell by those who believed in an external God and that they were only following “God’s word,” so is the willful allowance of war, violence, environmental erosion and mass destruction preached by those inspiring, motivating and hastening the idea that this is the “end times.”  They too say, “This is the word of God.”  And as the ecological flood waters or hell-fires from all the weapons we build to defend our external God consumes us, will we then wonder, which spiritual path did we really choose?

As Universal Spiritualists, this would never happen.  If we follow the basic universal spiritual principles of unconditional giving, loving and understanding, eliminate the idea of evil and only do “good” for all things and all people, our actions will never harm anything or risk infinite peace as a part of…

God’s infinite mind

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