Monday, August 30, 2010

Good News

Jesus' message is news -- and good news -- to conservative Christians who think the world is going to hell and they are a beleagured minority. It's good news to the rebels who go to church but don't listen because the message is dated and simplistic. It's good news to the cool people who worship a relevant approach to Jesus. It's good news to the feminist wrestling to reshape her mind to connect with a God she can relate to. It's good news to the arrogant and insecure who feel like they want to/need to change the world but are pretty convinced they're too f**d up to do it.

The message that the reality and presence of God is near, all around, and all we have to do is turn towards God (and away from everything we're carrying and thinking and trying to do to connect ourselves with God) is good news! It's available to anyone. Children even. Simple. Could it be real? Is it possible that you can get it without getting it, that you don't have to get yourself to a certain place to qualify, and yet it is a path that takes you somewhere you're not (and can't even conceive of)?

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Getting Stuck in Action or Reflection

Part of the value of the action reflection cycle is to recognize patterns: where do I tend to get stuck? How about you?

Do I get stuck in reflection?
Do I get stuck being productive and not stop to reflect?

I enjoy both and different areas tend towards one or the other. I reflect about spirituality and music a lot, although I write songs often with very little reflection.

In relationships I tend to process a lot. In practical arenas I tend to do too little of both. Avoidance anyone?

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Action Reflection Cycle

The Dandelion Seed Company (a group of people into creativity, community and Jesus) had a conference back in the late spring with some pretty interesting speakers at it. One of them talked about the "Action Reflection Cycle." It's a pretty helpful way to think about life and decisionmaking.

There's some sitar music and poetry at the beginning of the video.

Follow this link and then input this password:
freedandelions

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

The Bible, Bhakti Marga and 4D Existence

To me the Bible seems to be a collection of stories of people interfacing with other realities -- both the spiritual world and the reality of God's presence/leadership ("the Kingdom"). These are stories of people popping in and out of life in 4d, living in the joy and tension. 4th culture kids. Aliens and strangers. Messengers. Witnesses.

I have a friend who appropriates eastern meditation techniques and worship traditions in his relationship with Jesus. I recently had a conversation on a plane with a shaman who talks to Jesus. I know a guy who connects with groups of Muslims who study, follow and love Jesus.

These and other experiences reinforce my inclinations to believe that, while I'm deeply formed by the overarching western context I live in where religion is often mostly about what we do (morality) and mentally assent to (belief), drawn to certain aspects of mystical traditions (eastern and western) that emphasize experience, disciplines and inner order, Jesus lived and invited people into an experience (which includes and influences morality and belief) which interfaced with an alternate reality in a certain way -- with the posture of children, friends, family members, servants of a God whose influence, direction, love for and power over all worlds (while disputed and in process) is central and good.

OK, that last sentence was approaching Melville length with none of his humor or precision. My apologies.