Finding God

“The reason modern people can’t see God is that they won’t look low enough.”
~ Carl Jung

Our tendency is to conceptualize God as existing in some other place or dimension, not within the here and now. Our languages have exaggerated this perspective with opposing words, such as the mundane versus the sacred, earth versus heaven, science versus God, secular versus spiritual, probability versus faith, good or bad luck versus fate/karma, etc. Religion itself has given us the impression – intentionally or otherwise – of God being above or outside of us, rather than being an integral part of everything and everyone in the here and now.

Imagine a world where we recognize God within the food we eat, the dream we had last night, the stranger’s smile, the clap of thunder, the deer crossing the street, the silly stuff we share with a loved one, the blessing of waking up for another day of life, and a million other things we too often take for granted. Imagine seeing God in all of that!

Temptation

Social media question (paraphrased):

Original sin does not make sense. Eating the fruit would have enlightened Adam and Eve as to what was good and bad. How could they have known it was bad to disobey God, before taking a bite of the fruit?

My metaphorical response:

Adam and Eve are like children, who don’t yet comprehend the consequences of not listening to one’s father. Alternatively, we could view them as naive, inexperienced adults, indifferent to an authority’s warning about a risk or potential danger. For example, without the physical experience of being burned, the warning against playing with matches often goes in one ear and out the other.

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Hacking away

In all honesty, I’ve been somewhat of a hack at everything I’ve pursued, maybe an unintentional impostor at times. A possible case of Impostor Syndrome?

Nevertheless, I’ve been good enough to impress a few people, supporting my illusion that I have the talent or wisdom to pull off whatever I am doing or being. Illusions can become powerful motivators, pushing us forward and sustaining our efforts over time, despite our perceived limitations.

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Detours to joy

There are moments of intense joy, when I experience something incompatible with perpetual sadness; a happy place older than the oldest pain. This is what makes life worth living, those beautiful detours into the light of sacred presence.

Keep it sacred

Nothing is kept sacred anymore. We rush in and trample over everything, just because we can. Why not leave some things as sacred heights to gaze at in awe, to meditate upon with deep reverence? Not everything is meant to be conquered, certainly not by the masses.