Introduction
At 72 years young, I can honestly say my life has been a continuous quest for spiritual understanding. From a lifetime of regular church attendance within the Christian faith to 45 years spent as a college professor in faith-based institutions, I’ve witnessed the multifaceted reality of religion up close. My personal exploration has extended far beyond my own tradition, delving into the teachings of various Christian denominations, Hinduism, Buddhism, New Age philosophies like Eckankar and Self-Realization Fellowship, New Thought, non-dualism, and countless popular spiritual writers. Along this journey, I’ve experienced moments of profound insight, from traditional ‘salvation experiences’ to subtle awakenings and everyday epiphanies. And I can truthfully say, each has offered a valuable lesson.
The Emergence of a Unifying Thread: Mysticism
Through this extensive exploration, a compelling conviction has taken root within me, one that might surprise some. I’ve come to believe that a common thread weaves its way through these seemingly disparate belief systems, and that thread is mysticism. For our purposes here, let’s define basic mysticism as the spiritual intuition of an indwelling Divine presence that offers us truth, wisdom, and guidance. Beyond this core idea, I’ve observed recurring themes such as the fundamental unity of all existence and the potential to find the Divine in all things. It seems that when we move beyond the specific dogmas and doctrines of various religious systems, we often arrive at a shared understanding: our deepest guiding nature is eternal, ever-present, and ready to offer its wisdom.
Stepping Beyond Boundaries: The Limitations of Language and Doctrine
The longer I live and learn, the more I feel drawn to shed personal attachments to any single religious teaching or organization, and to refrain from making exclusive claims about my faith or any other. I find myself increasingly wanting to disentangle the cultural and religious language – regardless of its origin – from the underlying spiritual understandings and direct experiences. The truth of the universe, in whatever form it may reveal itself to us, will always surpass our limited capacity to fully describe or define it. Truth exists independently of any group’s spiritual or religious endorsements; it has never needed their validation. Our focus should be on striving to better understand whatever truths we believe we have, while resisting the urge to make definitive pronouncements that we can never definitively prove to anyone but ourselves.
Embracing Honesty and the Validity of Doubt
This journey necessitates a commitment to honesty, especially regarding our own experiences. It’s crucial to describe what we observed or believe happened without making definitive claims that demand acceptance based solely on faith – for instance, declaring an experience unequivocally ‘divine.’ Doubt is not a sign of weakness but a natural part of inquiry. We don’t need to label everything, comprehend everything, possess unwavering belief, or unshakeable faith. Acknowledging what we don’t know is a form of intellectual and spiritual integrity. If doubt or uncertainty lingers, or if we simply can’t be sure about the nature of an experience, it’s perfectly acceptable to say so.
The Nuance of Naming the Transcendent: “God” vs. God
When referring to the Divine or the transcendent, I’ve found it helpful to make a subtle distinction in language. For me, ‘God’ (with a capital ‘G’) represents the ineffable, ultimate reality that transcends any specific cultural or religious interpretation. Conversely, ‘god’ (with a lowercase ‘g’) often conjures a culturally derived belief system, a specific set of attributes and expectations held by an organized group. If there is indeed a ‘God,’ then by its very definition, it must lie beyond our complete description and explanation. We can only construct narratives, create metaphors, about what we believe ‘God’ might be like. This act of contemplation can be valuable, as long as ‘God’ represents the highest and most noble values we can conceive.
Beyond Exclusive Claims: A More Inclusive Vision
The familiar refrain echoes: ‘God is uniquely revealed in Jesus Christ.’ ‘God is uniquely revealed in Buddha.’ ‘God is uniquely revealed in me.’ Do you see the inherent limitation? To me, if there is a ‘God’ in this ultimate sense, this Being would be the full and perfected sum of all that is, both created and uncreated. While humans naturally describe God through the lens of human notions of values, virtues, and other relatable qualities, these descriptions, however well-intentioned, may or may not be truly helpful – and they certainly don’t define the essence of ‘God’.
The Whispers of Higher Consciousness and the Value of Noble Thoughts
I find myself believing in a higher consciousness, not through blind faith, but through the objective observation that some thoughts, beliefs, and values demonstrably lead to greater well-being and harmony than others. While the existence of these ‘better thoughts’ doesn’t provide irrefutable proof of a Divine Source – they could simply represent the culmination of human reason and reflection – I remain open to the possibility that my thoughts are influenced by a source beyond and greater than myself, though not necessarily the ultimate form of Divinity. Ultimately, what matters most to me is not the definitive origin of these thoughts, but rather my conscious effort to embrace them and integrate them into my life to the best of my ability.
Navigating the Inner Landscape: Mind Chatter and the Power of Presence
I readily acknowledge that my mind is often a whirlwind of mindless, and at times even harmful, chatter that can lead to the creation of false narratives about myself and the world around me. This is why I deeply value the practices of mindfulness and meditation, which have proven invaluable in quieting these mental storms. Having never encountered a person who doesn’t grapple with similar internal dialogues, I’ve come to believe that this is a normal and natural aspect of the human condition, not necessarily a consequence of inherent evil, human failing, or depravity. I say ‘necessarily’ because I also recognize the potential to intentionally dwell on negative thoughts, thereby amplifying suffering.
The Reality of Inner Dialogue and the Path to Peace
The truth is, our inner dialogue seems to occur with or without our conscious permission. Despite the claims of some ‘enlightened’ individuals, my own extensive efforts have not led to its complete elimination. If others have achieved this, I commend them. However, I can attest to the fact that consistent practices can indeed dampen the intensity of these thoughts and help us consciously direct our attention along the spectrum of our mental activity. I wholeheartedly agree that we are not obligated to accept, believe, or give credence to every thought that passes through our minds. Profound peace often arises when we can simply ‘let them be,’ without selecting, judging, or attaching our attention to them.
Glimpses of Deeper Wisdom and the Significance of Resonance
In moments of focused meditation and contemplation, I have experienced the emergence of thoughts and a clarity of understanding that far surpass my usual mental landscape. While I cannot claim this with absolute certainty, I tend to believe these insights originate from sources greater than myself. For me, resonance, that elusive feeling of wholeness and deep peace, has become one of the most reliable ways to discern my personal truth and reality. It serves as a sure guide, indicating when I’ve glimpsed a deeper wisdom or stumbled upon a path leading to greater clarity and understanding. Of course, resonance is an inherently personal experience, and what resonates deeply with one person may not have the same effect on another. By its very nature, resonance occurs when similar frequencies are in tune or aligned with one another.
Conclusion
My lifelong journey has led me to a place of greater openness and a deeper appreciation for the interconnectedness of spiritual paths. By looking beyond the surface differences and embracing the unifying thread of mysticism, by acknowledging the limitations of language and dogma, and by cultivating honesty and embracing the validity of our own inner experiences, perhaps we can move towards a more profound and personal understanding of the truths that resonate within us.
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