Here She Goes Again...

God discussions, Part II:
Ella has been participating in our church's "kid's mass". She is the bread-passer-outer at Communion....certainly there's a better title for that, right? Anyway, she takes it a step further saying "Body of Christ, Bread of Heaven" as she passes me a spoon or an empty bag of fish crackers at home. She finishes each book we read in the evenings with an "Amen" (Lutheran Preschool at work). God has no choice but to reside in the forefront of my mind as of late.

I'm nowhere near feeling resolved about this whole thing. But I'm starting to realize that the hunt is what it's all about. I guess we value more what we put effort into. Kinda like a relationship or a hobby, you gotta work at it. In other words, God is playing hard to get.

So I read a book because I didn't know where else to start. The book's author took it upon himself to travel around the world and immerse himself in a variety of religions. And because I don't have any fixers in the Sufi Muslim world or a Franciscan Monk for a cousin I thoroughly enjoyed his research as he embarked on his own personal quest. I started talking about his book with friends. Getting more and more excited as the chapters progressed, knowing that once I got to the final chapter I would have this whole thing figured out. It took all the restraint in the world to not skip to the end. I thought cheating in this instance would not lead to good karma. And wouldn't you know it, that last chapter did not end with some big reveal and a box of kleenex. But don't despair dear reader. I did come away with some valuable insights. I write this not as a primer for anyone but myself.

1. Trust the way thing are.
2. Slow down. Return to your body. Our minds spend very little time in the body. Remember what life is like when we are conscious of our velocity.
3. Don't get hung up on an image. I'm going to get a little Kabalah on you...
I've always tried to personify God. Was it really an old white guy with a beard? I found comfort in thinking about God as your soul. What makes us unique. For some people, God manifests itself as creativity, a way with words or a generous heart. This is how God speaks to you.
4. Stop worrying about what your beliefs are. Start considering who you are and what you experience.
5. And in regard to organized religion: The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook.

Spiritual searches are round trip journeys. We always seem to return right where we started. And this journey is just beginning.