I have studied religion for forty decades, both Eastern and Western. It is, indeed, a fascinating and complex topic of study. The
similarities between diverse religions are often quite fascinating. Most recently I have been concentrating on the Early Christian Church, the development and transformation of Christianity during the first 500 years. My
research through the years has proven to be very enlightening, if not a bit disturbing.
What I find disturbing is so many religions that are practiced today started with the Truth and devolved into institutions clouded by social, political and personal motives of those who made the teaching of the enlightened ones into massive organizations often devoted more to dogma and fear than enlightenment. I refer to the religions they promote as institutional religions.
Please do not misunderstand. I do not judge institutional religions to be either good or bad. They have a purpose, fulfill a need for many and often do good works. However, I find institutional religions to be very limited if one is seeking Truth and enlightenment.
I consider myself to be a very religious person on a spiritual path. However, my views, or my religion if you will, may not be traditional to any organized religion but rather an amalgamation of ideas or thoughts gleaned from my studies. These are the thoughts I have either tested and know to be true or sense they are Truth based on the “sense of knowing” which each of us possesses when we think and feel with our real self, that part of us which is a part of the Universal God.
Religion, for me, is a spiritual path of continuous learning, testing what I have learned and striving for enlightenment. We are not physical beings living in a physical world. We are spiritual beings living in a third dimensional world comprised of energy forms which appear to be solid. Our soul, the part of us that is of and from the Universal God, is our true self. We are all connected to, and a part of, the Universal God. We are all a part of Divine Intelligence. In fact, we are divine intelligence. I believe our ultimate mission on this beautiful planet is to recognize who we truly are and strive to reach the next level of spiritual existence.
Being religious is, in my opinion, a way of life. It is living, on a daily basis, that which you have learned to be Truth on your spiritual path. Personally, I begin ever day by giving thanks for what I have received and what I will receive. Since my thoughts and actions determine what comes my way, I am constantly mindful of “right thinking” and my connection to all things living. I end my day by reviewing where I might have made choices more aligned with “right thinking” and “right action.”
Each day is a new and wonderful experience of learning, understanding and trying to live the Truth. It is not enough to study and learn. One must live according to what they have learned. Actions often speak louder than words. Well, enough about me. How about you? If you have finished reading this article, I believe you are most likely on a spiritual path. Your choices and actions will steer your course. Free Will is a powerful
tool.
(Virgil Von Bramlett, Palm Springs)
similarities between diverse religions are often quite fascinating. Most recently I have been concentrating on the Early Christian Church, the development and transformation of Christianity during the first 500 years. My
research through the years has proven to be very enlightening, if not a bit disturbing.
What I find disturbing is so many religions that are practiced today started with the Truth and devolved into institutions clouded by social, political and personal motives of those who made the teaching of the enlightened ones into massive organizations often devoted more to dogma and fear than enlightenment. I refer to the religions they promote as institutional religions.
Please do not misunderstand. I do not judge institutional religions to be either good or bad. They have a purpose, fulfill a need for many and often do good works. However, I find institutional religions to be very limited if one is seeking Truth and enlightenment.
I consider myself to be a very religious person on a spiritual path. However, my views, or my religion if you will, may not be traditional to any organized religion but rather an amalgamation of ideas or thoughts gleaned from my studies. These are the thoughts I have either tested and know to be true or sense they are Truth based on the “sense of knowing” which each of us possesses when we think and feel with our real self, that part of us which is a part of the Universal God.
Religion, for me, is a spiritual path of continuous learning, testing what I have learned and striving for enlightenment. We are not physical beings living in a physical world. We are spiritual beings living in a third dimensional world comprised of energy forms which appear to be solid. Our soul, the part of us that is of and from the Universal God, is our true self. We are all connected to, and a part of, the Universal God. We are all a part of Divine Intelligence. In fact, we are divine intelligence. I believe our ultimate mission on this beautiful planet is to recognize who we truly are and strive to reach the next level of spiritual existence.
Being religious is, in my opinion, a way of life. It is living, on a daily basis, that which you have learned to be Truth on your spiritual path. Personally, I begin ever day by giving thanks for what I have received and what I will receive. Since my thoughts and actions determine what comes my way, I am constantly mindful of “right thinking” and my connection to all things living. I end my day by reviewing where I might have made choices more aligned with “right thinking” and “right action.”
Each day is a new and wonderful experience of learning, understanding and trying to live the Truth. It is not enough to study and learn. One must live according to what they have learned. Actions often speak louder than words. Well, enough about me. How about you? If you have finished reading this article, I believe you are most likely on a spiritual path. Your choices and actions will steer your course. Free Will is a powerful
tool.
(Virgil Von Bramlett, Palm Springs)
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