Enlightenment, Or, Coming Back to Where You First Began

Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood, carry water…

The lights are on; are you home?

"You're as blind in all light as in all darkness. Darkness, then, is the beginning of the journey." Guru Da

Some of us may have the idea that spiritual awakening means, suddenly, you can levitate, or walk through walls, or predict someone else’s future. People who are "spiritual" are somehow very different, set apart from the rest of the mundane world, superior in some mystical, galactic way. God or Buddha or Krishna or Yahweh now holds them in special favor, in a brighter light. 

Your everyday world has changed to continual bliss, no more troubles, no more pain. You’re already in heaven. It’s just a matter of sending in your change of address card. Well, this may come as a surprise but people who are spiritually awakened know that the journey has just begun. 

When the spiritual eyes and the spiritual mind open, the one who is waking up realizes that, to this point, little progress has actually been made. It’s back to Square One. The beginning. Kindergarten. Now the real work starts. 

Volunteering In Portland, Oregon: My Favorite Thing To Do!

As a Ride Connection Portland volunteer, I got to escort a great group of people from the Hollywood Senior Center here in Portland to the Oregon Historical Society's exhibition of World at War: WWII, plus a Chocolate Cake Baking Contest, in honor of the 150th anniversary and opening of the Oregon State Fair. 

Several of Portland's dignitaries, including Mayor Charlie Hales were showing their faces today. And Mrs. Hales even won a prize for her cake.

Eating the prizes…

Milling about, cake in hand!!

Are You a True Christian? Maybe, Maybe Not.

A lot of people call themselves Christian, but when they find out what it actually means, they're not so certain, or even interested any longer.

Just so you know, this is the definition of True Christianity. If you do not fit into the framework, you might wish to refer to yourself in some other way…..(You can call yourself a Chrysler, but unless you're a car of the same name, or a member of the Chrysler family, you are NOT a Chrysler.)

The Nicene Creed (4th century)

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made.

Who, for us men for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who has spoken through the prophets.

And I believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Progressive Christianity is not 'true' Christianity. Still, sometimes it conveys the message of Jesus in a much more gentle, caring, and powerful way than creeds or dogmas. You may disagree.

But no need to argue with me about it. I'm just the messenger.