I received this message as a form of self-therapy but I think it addresses a truism that applies to anyone, no matter what situation or circumstance. I think it's not only a positive message but true metaphorically whether you believe in an afterlife or not. So, whether you are high or low, physically free or a person in bondage or literal prison etc, you still have the most important connection there is and that is to the divine which is greater than anything that another person can do to you or the circumstances of life. Look deeper within and higher for the truth. This journey is temporary.
Well, it can go in several tangents but it's true nothing truly belongs to you here. the only thing that belongs to you is your own self/spark/source of life. no person or thing is really yours and in the end, you can only really count on yourself. people can define divine love individually. it can be one's ethics, inspiration, enlightenment, sense of purpose, or integrity etc. it doesn't necessarily mean a religious connotation.
Ya I didn't notice any stainglass windows, alter or pews but.... Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
I'm inclined to disagree with that one. We are changing all the time, it's the way of the universe. The goal isn't to halt time and change (which is impossible) but rather to change in positive ways. Yes, I agree pretty strongly with that one. It's an important realization.
"The divine trusts you, so you must continue to be who you are and never change." I'm sure Charles Manson is happy to hear that.
lol. yeah, he would read it as that. but it is referring to not change, compromise, devalue or lose the 'divine' aspect such as morals, integrity etc. it's not well-spelled out, have to read between the lines.
birch, Here are my personal thoughts on your opening post. I'm not that keen on "the divine". As an atheist, I don't believe there is a higher being that will look after me, trust me, or whatever. I agree with Yazata regarding change. Change is inevitable. People grow and change throughout their lives. The best we can do is to try our best to change for the better, not for the worse. As far as being who you are goes, in my experience people tend to have some core personality traits that remain consistent throughout their lives, more or less regardless of what happens to them. People can also become very set in their opinions and views on particular things over time, but occasionally something happens to fundamentally shift their opinions - usually some kind of transformative personal experience. I guess I'm saying that I think people generally will be who they are regardless of what anybody else tells them to do or to think. But it's good to be open to positive change. Again, I'm not confident that "the divine" will take care of my enemies for me. The better approach is to avoid making enemies in the first place, as far as possible. And, if you do make enemies, try to avoid them as far as possible. And if you have no real choice but to fight, then fight for what is right and good. This I can agree with. Atheists believe that this is all we get. Just this life. No "divine" will preserve us after death, or ressurrect us, or reincarnate us for another try at life. From an atheist perspective, that makes it even more important to live a good life. It's no good saying "Well, I f**ked up this life, but there's always the next one/the afterlife to look forward to." If there is no "divine", then any love must come from other people (apart from self-love). If our lives a blip in the cosmic time stream, then the only thing we truly leave behind lies in the memory and impacts we have on other people. And if there's only this world, then we must create wealth here, as best as we can. Amen to that.
i took that whole text to mean you can't control anyone else but you or count on anyone but you. the divine may be referring to the concept of a soul.
Birch? Do you believe it is possible for one to know, or possibly understand the divine? By the way I'm a believer, but by it's nature and even definition, a higher power cannot be known or understood. In my opinion.
Certainly could apply to anyone who believes in God, but it does not apply outside that group. Yes it really does. The definition of divine is literally God.
I believe a higher power is responsible for the universe. However where previously a "Devil" was considered (possibly in the beginning, possible in the future), now it is believed that this higher power is responsible for both good and evil! Perhaps evil is REQUIRED for some "supernatural" occurences. Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! For example, should we be able to traverse the family tree, would not every being eventually exist in such a state? "Nothing lasts forever."-Me at conception. Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
"No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path." "Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth."
Of course a higher power is responsible for the Universe It is known as Physics Problems arise when people give it a beard and a body. Round it out with mystical powers and a very questionable personality. Top the whole lot off with super luminal intelligence before subduing your own mind and begin to worship your own creation calling it god Congratulations you have succeeded in anthropomorphising the Universe before Science got out of bed Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
Actually I believe the higher power is within each of us! Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!