Monthly Archives: March 2009

Mar 29 2009

Your Religion Should Do More Than Teach You Ritual

Jesus said, “If those who lead you say to you, ‘See, the kingdom is in the sky,’ then the birds of the sky will precede you. If they say to you, ‘It is in the sea,’ then the fish will precede you. Rather, the kingdom is inside of you, and it is outside of you. When you come to know yourselves, then you will become known, and you will realize that it is you who are the sons of the living father. But if you will not know yourselves, you dwell in poverty and it is you who are that poverty.” –The Gospel of Thomas

We all, at some level, are seeking to find answers to our human existence, creation, spiritual uplift/ fulfillment or the meaning of life. In our quest, we seek out organizations that may meet certain core beliefs we retain from childhood or beliefs we have come to accept during our learning process in life. Our organizational choices, be they a certain Christian sect, Islam, RastafarI, Judaism or something else fitting your standards meet with certain rituals or dress that indicate our connection with the organization. But, should our choices not lead us to a greater spiritual and cosmic awareness?

Your religion should teach you more than their rituals and dress code. Each organization should light a fire in it’s adherents for continued study, not only of their tenets but, reaching further into the world of its esoteric roots. The fundamentals of all major religions is to provide a foundation for civilized living between human beings and establish laws to foment positive living conditions amongst people. Deeper still, there is an underlying Mystery that guides these laws and principles that should be searched out and studied and inscribed on our hearts. When we embark upon seeking the mystery, we find that the walls of ritual separation begin to come tumbling down and that our allegiance to the organization is only a platform or bridge by which to communicate the essence of the Mystery.

The Mystery is not the clothing one wears, yet it is. The Mystery is not the hair style you wear, yet it is. The Mystery is not the language of your organization, yet it is. The Mystery is not your sacred book, yet it is. The Mystery is not matter, yet it is. The Mystery is not male or female, yet it is. The Mystery is not plant or animal, yet it is. The Mystery is and is not, yet it is. The Mystery is within you.

 

 

 

 

 

Mar 26 2009

Beautiful Springtime!

Yes its that time again, beautiful springtime.  Ok, at least here in the Southeast spring has sprung.  Each and every year I look forward to planting my garden, but more than ever it will be most important to grow food for the family.  Unfortunately, the “bigger heads” are predicting a 5 percent increase in food costs here in the U.S.  This year for me the focus will be on such staples as tomatos, corn, beans, broccoli, lettuce and of course chiles of many types.  I am a chile pepper fan no doubt and will have scotch bonnets, jalapenos, bell pepper, cayenne, banana peppers and poblano.  Last but not least, are my herbs.  Yes, legal herb of course.  I will keep my rosemary growing, thyme, mint, mexican oregano, italian oregano, chives mint and much more.