Well, it’s nice to have a day to catch up on both sleep and homework. A brief post and then I’ve got to get going.
As far as God – you have two stories. One great one and one not-great one. You can’t prove the truth of either one, so which do you choose? (Most would say choose the great one, of course.) “And so it is with God,” that was the basic message.
The only flaw in that, is that the “godless” story doesn’t have to be “not-great.” It can be great. It’s just that the greatness will have to come from other things. I also think there’s a third option, which is not to choose at all, but let things play out as they are. (Maybe that’s the second option, rephrased. Dunno.) Anyway, it’s the best argument for believing in God that I have heard, though. I’ll be sticking with option #3, but I did choke up a little bit at one point during the movie, as I recalled that feeling of “the spirit,” which I would describe as the joy that comes from knowledge of a relationship with God. I wished, so badly, for a brief moment, that I could have it back in perfect innocence – in perfect innocence, being the key phrase. I’m sure I could have it back if I chose, but it would still feel like a lie to some degree. So I think mostly I was just mourning the loss of it.
I basically want nothing to do with people at this point, so I’m going to avoid people, from now until this weekend, when I’ll be spending a weekend in a cottage with ten of them. I’m going to ease off the facebook too. All it does is depress me. Maybe once a day or so, for ten minutes maybe, that should be enough.
Focusing on homework, yoga, relaxing (comfort matters – see the comment two posts back – btw thank you for some much needed encouragement!) and that’s it. Trying some positive affirmations, since I’m feeling pretty shitty: trying to visualize light and peace flowing through me, not the ugly dark gunk that looms… these: http://sexloveliberation.com/8-affirmations/
Also here are some pictures from Perth. The same kinds of views can be seen in Edinburgh… it becomes common place after being here for a few months, but I can’t think of a single place in the States, that I’ve seen, that looks like this.
What a cool hotel room key
Smoked Salmon on scrambled eggs and toast for breakfast. It was sooo good, I want it again.
Also while I’m at it – Snow in Edinburgh. It’s been snowing for about three days, though it doesn’t stick (thank heavens.) It finally feels like proper winter though… cold!
Thank you for pointing out that one can be spiritual without being religious. Far too few are able to grasp that a “third option,” as you put it, even exists. And it is no less “great” than option one’s vaunted certainty of belief in a higher power such as God. I keep a file of my favorite quotes, and I went through it just now to pick some out that I feel are relevant here. Allow me to share.
“The world is so exquisite, with so much love and moral depth, that there is no reason to deceive ourselves with pretty stories for which there’s little good evidence. Far better, it seems to me, in our vulnerability, is to look Death in the eye and to be grateful every day for the brief but magnificent opportunity that life provides.” –Carl Sagan (American scientist and author)
“Joy in the universe, and keen curiosity about it all–that has been my religion.” –John Burroughs (American naturalist and essayist)
“Question with boldness even the existence of a god; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blindfolded fear.” –Thomas Jefferson (U.S. president)
“I can live with doubt and uncertainty. I think it’s much more interesting to live not knowing than to have answers which might be wrong.” –Richard P. Feynman (American physicist)
Myself? I believe in what I call personal spirituality–basically your third option. Rather than allowing another person or organization to define my spirituality–impersonal spirituality, if you will–I define it for myself. Evidence of supreme beings is inconclusive. On the other hand, I’ve never been able to rule out spirituality completely because I have had spiritual experiences, just as you speak of recalling “that feeling of ‘the spirit.’” And they do seem to indicate that something might be going on “behind the scenes,” so to speak, of this crazy reality we find ourselves in. The key is that these experiences are for me and me alone. I don’t try to be a prophet to anyone else. I’m just trying to figure out the truth for myself and can only interpret my experiences in my own context.
The world’s religions talk about the importance of faith, but the faith they prescribe is a flawed one because it entails no actual faith at all. It is closing the book on truth by making final statements about our existence. Personal spirituality represents true faith. Faith is being willing to say I don’t know, but that’s okay. Faith is marveling at the intricacies of the universe without requiring an explanation of them. Faith is choosing to live a good life because the reason for doing so is self-apparent. Faith is knowing that you will die one day and that you will be at peace with the outcome regardless of which side things come out on–life after death or absolute death. This is true faith, and it is purer and more real than any faith that an organized religion will ever demand from you.
In the end, I sum it up like this: My religion is Truth. Truth is universal and applies equally to everyone and everything at all times and in all places, even if it is an elusive star to chart a course by. My god is the universe. The universe is full of wonder and beauty, and its natural laws guide us all forward. My faith is hope. Rather than have faith in pseudo-certainties, I merely hope for things accepting that I don’t know. Lastly, my doctrine is kindness. Kindness is the guiding light of all action in ethical and moral matters.
You are on the right path. Your eyes are open. Never forget that.
rma – I am so sorry. I don’t know how I managed to overlook such a beautiful comment! Seriously, sometimes my scatter-brain knows no bounds. This is amazingly put, and I couldn’t agree more! I love the quotes and especially what you said about faith. I am going to share it in a new post right now. Thank you so much for sharing.
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