A Very Different View
You know, I studied all the major religions. I read countless books on philosophy and alternative belief systems. Raised Catholic, and as a teenager, I jumped out of that space. Ran thru the Christian religions, and then dove head first in the eastern religions. From there, I started to explore Native American culture and proceeded to the earth based religions. Here’s what I learned. I felt at home with all of them. That said, there is a lot of which I fundamentally find wrong in all of them. Well maybe not wrong, but that it doesn’t resonate with me.
I’ve been meditating just about my entire life. And I think where so many miss the boat…in my humble opinion, is we were taught not to question. And to me, that’s a big fucking problem. Why? Because if we have never tested our truth, how can we know for sure that it is truth? I keep a small circle. But in my circle, some are much older than me, while others are much younger. They come from all different walks of life. And, they absolutely look very different from me. But why? Because I know my truth. But I believe that your truth may hold value too. And I want to learn.
When a look back at my Christian upbringing, most of it was really positive. But the biggest problem that I had, was that I thought the Bible was one of the most destructive books on the planet. To this day I still pray to Christ. But that Bible stuff? Dude, I burned it. The view has changed as I studied more and more. And the Jesus that I know, He doesn’t care about the Bible. He cares about you. I believe the life of Christ taught me one thing that supersedes the Bible. That actions are the real currency.
Many religions say that you have to believe this in order to get that. And the “that”, that I am referring to ladies and gentlemen is heaven. I think it’s a trap, because actions are the true currency. You want to find yourself in heaven, or in a better place when you transition from your body? Service. Every spiritual teacher that I have studied believed in a life of service. Now I’m not suggesting that you sell everything and live a life of poverty. But if you have an extra dollar, or some free time, how about you donate it? And while we’re at it. Can we please drop the judgements? Nothing good comes from not knowing and thinking we do.
Don’t believe what I believe? Good! You’re not supposed to. Go and study. Go enrich your life by talking with people that you would never choose to be friends with. Drop your childhood beliefs. If after your studies you make your way back to them, then you should be proud that you got out of your comfort zone. Because when it is all said and done with, it’s rarely comfortable at all. And the view is very different when you’re checking out, then when you’re checking in.
