I have spent countless hours of my life looking at the night sky. I can just stare up in complete awe and loose track of time trying to comprehend the size of the stars I see and the unfathomable distances between them. I find my mind spinning just trying to encapsulate the distance to our moon or, in the daylight, the time light takes to travel at such speeds from the sun to our planet. How can it take eight minutes? Unbelievable.
I have lived pretty close to metropolitan areas where the stars are dimmed by city lights. There is the ever present “city glow” to the south each night. What stars that can be seen will stop me in my tracks as I gaze dizzily upwards, trying to glimpse a bit more of the sky. I cup my hands around my face to block out more light. On occasion I have had the privilege to camp or visit friends out on the countryside or even be blessed with the blessing of the occasional power outage. The sky blooms, a spectacle of stars splattered on the heavenly canvas. This is a bit more poetic than most of my thoughts, but no other words come to mind once looking up at the sky and seeing the hundred specks of light that are in fact massive balls of intense fire. And they are light years away.
The night sky has always inspired me. I look up and see those little specks of light. They are beautiful and inspire love and appreciation of life. They make me pause and fill with wonder and joy. This is what has made me think about much of what my writing is about.
There is such raw beauty in the night sky, as in all of nature around me. You must pay attention to it though. It is also such a paradox to me. In the night sky, what I perceive are countless little specks of light. But I also know these sparkling points are further away than anyone ever living could comprehend. It takes years; sometimes millions of years for the light to travel at the fastest speed matter can travel (which we cannot perceive with our senses) to travel and reach us. Also, these specks are large, far larger than we can conceive. This continues to blow my mind.
Sounds like science, and it is, but it is also the most spiritual moments for me. And I do a dangerous thing and believe they compliment each other. Science and Spirituality inspire each other.
I see that both are about wonder. Wonder from glimpsing our place in the world, the Universe.
Much of my free time is spent taking walks, contemplating my place in the universe (and possibly multi-verses). I am fascinated taking in my immediate surroundings and imagining its place in the vast cosmos. I have always enjoyed the woods, parks or just wandering around the neighbors of lower Westchester, becoming lost in my thoughts and the enjoyment of noticing something I had not before; a nest, how the wind makes waves as it moves down the ivy on the side of a building, a singing bird or a passing conversation.
I daydream about the structures of it all, thought experiments I could say if I was Einstein (a hero of mine). I ask myself basic questions and try to find rationales that illustrate as many points of views I can come up with. Usually defer to which scenario allows for such diverse point of views existing or no points of view all at once. My default opinion is what brings diversity and possibilities to the Universe.
I have been musing over my personal place in the world for as long as I can remember. I have wanted to write these thoughts and share them for as long as I can remember. Included in this dream have been several versions of a book I have been working on for almost 2 decades, without much to show for it. It is difficult to sum up how one sees the Infinitely complex Universe.
So, I have begun to think of this vehicle for my thoughts. This site will hopefully live longer than past efforts. I hope to write a few times a week. And not doing so well so far. I will write as I wish on topics such as the nature of GOD, what I believe life is about and my own trials and tribulations attempting to live an enlightened life in today’s society. How wonderful and ridiculous it can be.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Side Note: Carl Sagan and infinite inspiration
I have a vague and somewhat jumbled memory from my youth that has none-the-less inspired me and my spirituality till today. The memory is of watching Cosmos hosted by Carl Sagan. While a show about science, it was one of my first truly Universal spiritual experiences. I can still chuckle repeating the mantra, “Billions and billions and billions” in conversations.
Cosmos was where I first became an ardent fan of the genius of Albert Einstein. With Dr. Sagan’s explanation of Relativity I saw doors opening to what I would later see as the larger Universe about us. And with his introduction I felt a kinship with souls who looked up to the sky and wondered how truly vast it was, not just is distances, but in possibilities and imagination.
What I now see as a small spark of enlightenment within my life came from an episode entitled, “The Lives of Stars.” The episode states at the start Sagan’s rather profound statement, “If you wish to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first invent the universe.” I have always taken this as partially a joke, partially a profound and thought provoking philosophy.
I also laugh now, as this episode introduced me to the word “Googol” (google), a very large number; ten to the power of one hundred. Carl Sagan explains about how vast the empty spaces at the atomic level are. He then explains there is also a Googolplex, ten to the power of Googol. A one followed by a googol number of zeros. My mind begins to race. And this is where I begin to feel the awesome power of the Infinite. The power of Googol exceeds the number of atoms in the universe. But, compared to Infinity, a Googolplex is as close to reaching Infinity as the number 1. We stand on a brink between the Infinitely small and the Infinity large and can never see the end in either direction. And yet, here I sit in my room typing these sentences. Knowing, but never able to comprehend the scale of existence I am a part of.
Cosmos was where I first became an ardent fan of the genius of Albert Einstein. With Dr. Sagan’s explanation of Relativity I saw doors opening to what I would later see as the larger Universe about us. And with his introduction I felt a kinship with souls who looked up to the sky and wondered how truly vast it was, not just is distances, but in possibilities and imagination.
What I now see as a small spark of enlightenment within my life came from an episode entitled, “The Lives of Stars.” The episode states at the start Sagan’s rather profound statement, “If you wish to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first invent the universe.” I have always taken this as partially a joke, partially a profound and thought provoking philosophy.
I also laugh now, as this episode introduced me to the word “Googol” (google), a very large number; ten to the power of one hundred. Carl Sagan explains about how vast the empty spaces at the atomic level are. He then explains there is also a Googolplex, ten to the power of Googol. A one followed by a googol number of zeros. My mind begins to race. And this is where I begin to feel the awesome power of the Infinite. The power of Googol exceeds the number of atoms in the universe. But, compared to Infinity, a Googolplex is as close to reaching Infinity as the number 1. We stand on a brink between the Infinitely small and the Infinity large and can never see the end in either direction. And yet, here I sit in my room typing these sentences. Knowing, but never able to comprehend the scale of existence I am a part of.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
skipping a bit, defining my GOD.
The more precise your definition of GOD and GOD’s will, the further you are from the spiritual of GOD. JDP 01-13-99
________________________________
There are times I have problems discussing "GOD" with others. It is not any discomfort with theology or a disinterest in the beliefs of others. Actually, I tend to focus on the beliefs of others and keep that as the subject. It is the difficulty I have in defining my own theology. It starts with the difficulty with the usage of the word God itself. So many I speak with have such a strong connection with God and the belief in a universal God, they can't understand when I even approach the topic that the word God can mean different things to different people. That what it means to me is completely different from what they have chosen and that should be ok. Often, it is not. I also believe that the word God is different for each and every one of us, not just from Religion to Religion. That God means greatly different things to people within the same faith. God in human terms is a very personal sum of your experiences and beliefs in the Universe around you.
Most people I have dialogue with define their usage of the word God based greatly of the belief in "Man was created in God's image". To most, God is a personality that resembles their own. Be it as a friend or in a judgment figure. God is defined by their relationship with an entity that feels and expresses. They believe in a God that is spoken to and is willing to alter life based on prayers and favoritism of one group over another. It may not be on a level that we can understand, but in some way we can empathize with God. Many argue as I do, this is an anthropomorphic ideal with no foundation in reality. This is a difficult point to get past. I have actually found, but have learned not to point out, that a person’s vision of God closely parallels his or her own personality.
I have become earnest in my study to find a GOD that is Universal, a GOD that I can envision as the creator and existence as the Universe around us. The GOD of an absolute truth that is beyond myself, and beyond humanity itself. GOD takes a looking into the infinite, that which has defined the infinite. The human mind can never grasp the infinite, and that is the mystery of existence that I worship.
The Truth, The Way, The Toa, The Nature of Being; not just as an ecosystem of this planet but the nature of the Universal reality. The physical laws, the what and the why behind these laws. The Living Universe that symbiotically exists Inter-Being. By this I mean that all matter in all forms is constantly evolving, interchanging and intermingling among itself to constantly create what we see as time and in effect, constantly recombine becoming what we see today and will continue to change into who knows what forms of chemicals, clouds, planets, life. There are many names, many concepts around this evolutionary process. They all pale to what GOD has created, let alone what GOD is. GOD is so far beyond our ability to conceptualize it is beyond staggering.
Could we even recognize the existence of GOD in any other fashion than what is within ourselves? It makes sense, as we are merely reflections of the universe. A part of the universe with consciousness, the universe looking back upon itself. Could we accept a GOD that does not think or feel as we do? An existence that is so far beyond our scope that we cannot use definitions such as mind or thoughts to describe. God is within every law of the universe, every particle is a part of GOD, and every one of our thoughts is a part of GOD. There is no separation. There is no limitation or definition to GOD.
We are created in God's image. But, it is truth that the whole universe is created in GOD's image. GOD's thought is the seasons turning, Darwin's struggle, subatomic probability and in the gesture of Love. The Whole is GOD, GOD is all and every minute detail is GOD.
I have a very deep and complex view of GOD. I do not believe we can ever know GOD. But we can have a relationship with the God that is within us and around us. Many of my conversations end with perplexed and confused looks. I have been accused of many things. But, I can only admit that I have a long way to go to glimpse the wonder of GOD. Some say I over complicate and “over-science” God. But, I know the truth of GOD is simplicity beyond words. It is only in trying to define that the complexity begins. I find GOD when I sit and be still, and let GOD enter my awareness. In silence I feel GOD's presence. No words can ever capture this. It is only in those still moments I can even hope to glimpse a small part of GOD. But only for the sake of communication that I try and share. That is what this is all about.
GOD is. This is Being (totality of existence). This is the essence of the universe. A part of what GOD is. It would take the rest of my lifetime to explain but a part of glimpsing GOD. But, this is a need that drives my humanity, my soul.
I ask myself continuously about the Universal nature of GOD. A Search for the GOD that created the Universe as a whole, with wonders we have not yet experienced. A GOD that was here before man. A GOD that is everlasting, even after Mankind has gone from existing. I know that the whole of Human history will end up being just a brief flash in the experience of the Infinite Being. I must remove my own ego, myself from my quest to find the truth. To glimpse GOD.
So, will you accept my belief in a GOD that is unknowable? A GOD that is not a personal God that we can relate to, pray to (and possibly get an answer we can understand). Would humanity ever accept the concept of a non-persona GOD that is beyond our comprehension? A GOD that is not in our image, as though we are made in the image of GOD. That my GOD does not treasure humanity over all over existence and does not hold us above all other existence.
In my theology there is the Universe and there is our interpretation of it. The stories we create to explain the world and make us feel safe. And then there are the institutions of Organized religions. The groups that spring from religious leadership and have a need to sustain and defend itself as an institution.
But then, what good is my concept of GOD? Why even bother? If I see no use in prayer and active worship of God in a community (though I never said that last part). What do you do with GOD? My answer is that you live in wonder and awe and discovery. You look around you and gasp at the magnificence of it all. You humble yourself before the Infinite and try and live the best life you can within the staggering beauty. You appreciate it all and your place within it all. You take care o yourself as a living pat of the existence. You try and do it justice. To me his well-lived life is prayer, a prayer of thanks.
________________________________
There are times I have problems discussing "GOD" with others. It is not any discomfort with theology or a disinterest in the beliefs of others. Actually, I tend to focus on the beliefs of others and keep that as the subject. It is the difficulty I have in defining my own theology. It starts with the difficulty with the usage of the word God itself. So many I speak with have such a strong connection with God and the belief in a universal God, they can't understand when I even approach the topic that the word God can mean different things to different people. That what it means to me is completely different from what they have chosen and that should be ok. Often, it is not. I also believe that the word God is different for each and every one of us, not just from Religion to Religion. That God means greatly different things to people within the same faith. God in human terms is a very personal sum of your experiences and beliefs in the Universe around you.
Most people I have dialogue with define their usage of the word God based greatly of the belief in "Man was created in God's image". To most, God is a personality that resembles their own. Be it as a friend or in a judgment figure. God is defined by their relationship with an entity that feels and expresses. They believe in a God that is spoken to and is willing to alter life based on prayers and favoritism of one group over another. It may not be on a level that we can understand, but in some way we can empathize with God. Many argue as I do, this is an anthropomorphic ideal with no foundation in reality. This is a difficult point to get past. I have actually found, but have learned not to point out, that a person’s vision of God closely parallels his or her own personality.
I have become earnest in my study to find a GOD that is Universal, a GOD that I can envision as the creator and existence as the Universe around us. The GOD of an absolute truth that is beyond myself, and beyond humanity itself. GOD takes a looking into the infinite, that which has defined the infinite. The human mind can never grasp the infinite, and that is the mystery of existence that I worship.
The Truth, The Way, The Toa, The Nature of Being; not just as an ecosystem of this planet but the nature of the Universal reality. The physical laws, the what and the why behind these laws. The Living Universe that symbiotically exists Inter-Being. By this I mean that all matter in all forms is constantly evolving, interchanging and intermingling among itself to constantly create what we see as time and in effect, constantly recombine becoming what we see today and will continue to change into who knows what forms of chemicals, clouds, planets, life. There are many names, many concepts around this evolutionary process. They all pale to what GOD has created, let alone what GOD is. GOD is so far beyond our ability to conceptualize it is beyond staggering.
Could we even recognize the existence of GOD in any other fashion than what is within ourselves? It makes sense, as we are merely reflections of the universe. A part of the universe with consciousness, the universe looking back upon itself. Could we accept a GOD that does not think or feel as we do? An existence that is so far beyond our scope that we cannot use definitions such as mind or thoughts to describe. God is within every law of the universe, every particle is a part of GOD, and every one of our thoughts is a part of GOD. There is no separation. There is no limitation or definition to GOD.
We are created in God's image. But, it is truth that the whole universe is created in GOD's image. GOD's thought is the seasons turning, Darwin's struggle, subatomic probability and in the gesture of Love. The Whole is GOD, GOD is all and every minute detail is GOD.
I have a very deep and complex view of GOD. I do not believe we can ever know GOD. But we can have a relationship with the God that is within us and around us. Many of my conversations end with perplexed and confused looks. I have been accused of many things. But, I can only admit that I have a long way to go to glimpse the wonder of GOD. Some say I over complicate and “over-science” God. But, I know the truth of GOD is simplicity beyond words. It is only in trying to define that the complexity begins. I find GOD when I sit and be still, and let GOD enter my awareness. In silence I feel GOD's presence. No words can ever capture this. It is only in those still moments I can even hope to glimpse a small part of GOD. But only for the sake of communication that I try and share. That is what this is all about.
GOD is. This is Being (totality of existence). This is the essence of the universe. A part of what GOD is. It would take the rest of my lifetime to explain but a part of glimpsing GOD. But, this is a need that drives my humanity, my soul.
I ask myself continuously about the Universal nature of GOD. A Search for the GOD that created the Universe as a whole, with wonders we have not yet experienced. A GOD that was here before man. A GOD that is everlasting, even after Mankind has gone from existing. I know that the whole of Human history will end up being just a brief flash in the experience of the Infinite Being. I must remove my own ego, myself from my quest to find the truth. To glimpse GOD.
So, will you accept my belief in a GOD that is unknowable? A GOD that is not a personal God that we can relate to, pray to (and possibly get an answer we can understand). Would humanity ever accept the concept of a non-persona GOD that is beyond our comprehension? A GOD that is not in our image, as though we are made in the image of GOD. That my GOD does not treasure humanity over all over existence and does not hold us above all other existence.
In my theology there is the Universe and there is our interpretation of it. The stories we create to explain the world and make us feel safe. And then there are the institutions of Organized religions. The groups that spring from religious leadership and have a need to sustain and defend itself as an institution.
But then, what good is my concept of GOD? Why even bother? If I see no use in prayer and active worship of God in a community (though I never said that last part). What do you do with GOD? My answer is that you live in wonder and awe and discovery. You look around you and gasp at the magnificence of it all. You humble yourself before the Infinite and try and live the best life you can within the staggering beauty. You appreciate it all and your place within it all. You take care o yourself as a living pat of the existence. You try and do it justice. To me his well-lived life is prayer, a prayer of thanks.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
INTRO: Defining GOD
There is no GOD but GOD. We cannot ever comprehend. GOD cannot be named for GOD is beyond the limitations of names. To name is to limit and GOD has no limits. We will never grasp what GOD is. To name a thing is to control a thing. We do not control GOD, GOD is all possibilities. To name is to know, GOD is beyond knowing.
Within my writings I will be using two forms of the word GOD or God. I use these forms to call out the difference in definition I have between the God of the worlds major religions and the common definition as I see it. This is the God of the three modern religions. I hope to be describing my notions of GOD over the following years. GOD as all encompassing existence. GOD as that which makes existence possible. The Universe (or Multi-verse) is a part of Being GOD. The entire Universe is not only made in GOD’s image, but is an aspect of GOD.
GOD is a word unlike any other. But, in writing GOD (in all caps, the only all capitalized word) I hope to express the idea of pointing towards that which can never be defined. In essence this word substitutes for that which explains everything and yet nothing at all. The Noun GOD should always be written in all caps, it is the ultimate proper noun, and there should be no pronoun to substitute. The pronouns He, She, It, Them all fall into complete inadequacy. It is as if the Universe always speaks in the third person to always print or say GOD in all reference. But, I call it the forth tense. The word GOD in this form contains every word and every definition known and unknown.
The word GOD can only point towards the Infinite. And we will never grasp the Infinite with our finite minds. The word ‘GOD’ only encompasses the space that it takes to print the three capitalized letters, hinting at the vastness around the words in all dimensions. Like a floating glacier in the water, only that which is below the water is infinite. It points towards an abstract concept to describe all of existence.
Within my writings I will be using two forms of the word GOD or God. I use these forms to call out the difference in definition I have between the God of the worlds major religions and the common definition as I see it. This is the God of the three modern religions. I hope to be describing my notions of GOD over the following years. GOD as all encompassing existence. GOD as that which makes existence possible. The Universe (or Multi-verse) is a part of Being GOD. The entire Universe is not only made in GOD’s image, but is an aspect of GOD.
GOD is a word unlike any other. But, in writing GOD (in all caps, the only all capitalized word) I hope to express the idea of pointing towards that which can never be defined. In essence this word substitutes for that which explains everything and yet nothing at all. The Noun GOD should always be written in all caps, it is the ultimate proper noun, and there should be no pronoun to substitute. The pronouns He, She, It, Them all fall into complete inadequacy. It is as if the Universe always speaks in the third person to always print or say GOD in all reference. But, I call it the forth tense. The word GOD in this form contains every word and every definition known and unknown.
The word GOD can only point towards the Infinite. And we will never grasp the Infinite with our finite minds. The word ‘GOD’ only encompasses the space that it takes to print the three capitalized letters, hinting at the vastness around the words in all dimensions. Like a floating glacier in the water, only that which is below the water is infinite. It points towards an abstract concept to describe all of existence.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Entering
I have been working to begin this for some time. I have been keenly interested in questions about GOD (God) for most of my life now. I find myself gravitating towards theological questions while I daydream, taking long walks, all the time really. Even my choice of Science Fiction as entertainment is geared for asking these sorts of questions, “what if?”
Does God exist? How are we made in God’s image? What was there before the Big Bang? What truly fascinates me is the wide breadth of answers to these universal questions. Why is the Universe so wide open to interpretation? I admire the arguments used on all sides of these philosophical conversations and enjoy discovering them. I can only hope that these writings can be my part of the conversation. I hope I can honor my heroes of thought with my own thoughts.
These writings are about the universe around me. How is it created and why are we here as conscious beings, seemingly unique. Where do I as an individual entity fit into the Universal existence I am a small part of? Where does all of humanity sit in the space of reality? Why are we here? Why is the Universe the way it is? I know I will not answer these questions. But I feel compelled to offer my thoughts, to enter the fray.
Does God exist? How are we made in God’s image? What was there before the Big Bang? What truly fascinates me is the wide breadth of answers to these universal questions. Why is the Universe so wide open to interpretation? I admire the arguments used on all sides of these philosophical conversations and enjoy discovering them. I can only hope that these writings can be my part of the conversation. I hope I can honor my heroes of thought with my own thoughts.
These writings are about the universe around me. How is it created and why are we here as conscious beings, seemingly unique. Where do I as an individual entity fit into the Universal existence I am a small part of? Where does all of humanity sit in the space of reality? Why are we here? Why is the Universe the way it is? I know I will not answer these questions. But I feel compelled to offer my thoughts, to enter the fray.
Monday, January 12, 2009
why?
I have been musing over my place in the world for as long as I can remember. I have wanted to write these thoughts and share them for as long. Included in this dream have been several versions of a book I have been working on for almost 2 decades, without much to show for it.
So, I have begun to think of a new vehicle for my thoughts. This site will hopefully live longer than past efforts. I hope to write a few times a week. I will write as I wish on topics such as the nature of GOD (and why GOD is in all caps), what I believe life is about and my own trials and tribulations attempting to live an enlightened life in today’s society. How wonderful and ridiculous it can be.
Good luck to me.
So, I have begun to think of a new vehicle for my thoughts. This site will hopefully live longer than past efforts. I hope to write a few times a week. I will write as I wish on topics such as the nature of GOD (and why GOD is in all caps), what I believe life is about and my own trials and tribulations attempting to live an enlightened life in today’s society. How wonderful and ridiculous it can be.
Good luck to me.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)