Small Talk With God

So long and thanks for all the fish!

2010-07-10T19:33:00.001-04:00

don't tell me
of the redhot longing
in bloodshot eyes,
looking skyward.
i don't care.
if you want the sky,
go there.

I've decided to stop this blog for a while. There are times when I really feel in touch and times when I don't.

This is the latter. No telling when I'll be back but for the time being any spiritual wanderings will be in my other blog Going Down Hill.

If in the mean time if you feel the need to talk with god yourself, grab a notebook and pen. As your question and wait patiently for awhile. Remember it's always possible you are just talking to yourself so don't take to much of what is said seriously. Rather use it as food for thought.

Anything you want to say before we go?

Yes. Remember that I am what I am, the yin the yang, the alpha and omega. Any human definition of me, including Michael's is too small.

Don't take your religion or spirituality too seriously. Loki and Coyote are also aspects of my totality. Trust yourselves but don't be afraid to ask others for advice and opinions. Take good care and write often. So long.

Photo and poetry by Lorraine Wajda with my apologies.

Guest Commentary with Lev Novak

2010-06-15T20:15:00.001-04:00

God: Noah, all the people of earth are sinners. You alone are righteous.

Noah: Thanks God. Long time fan, first time prophet.

God: So, I have decided to smite the entire world with a flood.

(pause)

Noah: Couldn’t you just teach man goodness?

God: No. I’m thinking “flood”.

Noah: So you’d rather just kill every-

God: What part of “flood” do you not understand?

God: Moses…I have seen the plight of the Jews in Egypt.

Moses: Wow. Only after, uh, 400 years there, right?

God: Yes.

Moses: Awesome.

God: I will take you out of Egypt after ten terrible, terrible plagues.

Moses: …ten?

God: Is there a problem?

Moses: It’s just…ten is a lot. For, you know, God. Couldn’t you get this done in like, two plagues max?

God: No. For you see Moses, I will harden Pharaoh’s heart against me.

Moses: So…you are going to stop him from letting us free from slavery.

God: Yes.

Moses: So you can bring more terrible, terrible plagues upon the people.

God: Yes.

Moses: And you see nothing wrong with this picture?

God: ...

Moses: Are there any other God’s up there I can talk to?

III

Mary: Did you send the child support?

God: Frankincense and myrrh. Yeah.

Mary Annnnnd?

God: (sighs). And gold. And the gold.

Mary: That’s better.

Job: …

God: Well, this is awkward.

God: Abraham, you must circumcise yourself.

Abraham: As you wish, my lord.

God: Oh my Me. He’s totally going to do it.

Being Real

2010-06-14T00:53:00.003-04:00

standing on my head said... why would we choose separation? so we can spend all our time working to let go of the illusion of separation? now i know why i feel like a hamster on the wheel!

I wanted to choose separation or non-belief for years. I didn't want to accept a god who allows what happens in the universe. I guess I wanted justice and I don't get that from a belief in god. Yet I do believe and at a point I remember well I did choose to believe. At that moment the hamster wheel stopped. Now faith is second nature. I accepted somewhere along the line that injustice is part of the the way the universe works. Things happen to good people for no good reason. I can choose to accept that or choose to deny it. It's easy when everything is going well, Everyone you love is happy and healthy. Kindness and compassion for people around the world is seen in daily events. But something always happens. A loved one passes away. natural disasters; Tsunami, Earthquakes, Sinkholes, Flooding. On and on the list grows. Man' inhumanity to the planet, to the people of the planet to our neighbors to strangers on the street.I for one get angry with god. Let's face it, the universe is pretty well fucked up. And not just by the actions of humans.

And yet you still have faith in me. you turn to me with the expectations that everything is somehow going to be all right. That Your loved ones may be absent but they are not lost. That the poor and down trodden will have their turn to reach for the brass ring. You feel that along with my presence and you except in faith that it is true. With no evidence to base that belief on other than you want to believe it. Why Michael? Why not accept the atheist position that there is no God? While you say that our conversations our figments of your imagination you still believe that in some sense you are indeed talking with a being that transcends your meager life. Why?

Hope. Hope that in some future I will be able to spend time with my brother. Time we didn't get this time around. The same with my father and Grand Parents, and others I have loved and lost through the years. Hope. Hope that mankind will be able to solve it's problems. That we will be able to walk in the sunlight of your love as friends, as companions with love for each other and kindness toward all creation. That's why I believe. Because I feel that possibility whenever I reach to touch you. Whether I'm reaching out in anger, hatred or love. I feel that compassion and I know, not just hope, but know that everything will be fine. I don't know when but I know it will happen.

"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."

"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit.

"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt."

"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?"

"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."

"I suppose you are real?" said the Rabbit. And then he wished he had not said it, for he thought the Skin Horse might be sensitive.

But the Skin Horse only smiled.

The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams

Spirituality: Panentheism 101

2010-06-09T01:48:00.000-04:00

Good evening Lord. I've been thinking of the conversation Kirk started last week. A lot of interesting view points but I'll stick to my comment that people with high levels of serotonin being more susceptible to religious/spiritual experience. Kirk rightly pointed out that that fact would make him more skeptical about the existence of a supreme being not less. In my case I came to belief in a god of my understanding years before my serotonin levels were artificially boosted by SSRI's.
I call you a figment of my imagination, yet I believe in you wholeheartedly. I have no objective proof of your existence. Nothing I can show somebody and say "See, here is God." The closest metaphor I can come up with is mathematics. The highest I've ever progressed in that field was a semester of Pre-Calc and another in Statistics. Most of which I barely understood enough to keep up with the class. I needed lots of tutoring. But someone with a strong understanding of mathematics can go places I can barely imagine. I believe that the same may be true of spirituality. Some may just get it. others may not and others might need a lot of tutoring to begin to approach a transcendental experience. To prime the pump so to speak.What say you.

An interesting question, Michael. Let's go back to basics for an answer. We have in the past defined God as how the universe works, Yes?

Sure, that's my basic working definition.

So next we ask where does the universe exist? I believe you and I settled on the form of God called panentheism:

Theism vs Panentheism

“Panentheism” is a constructed word composed of the English equivalents of the Greek terms “pan”, meaning all, “en”, meaning in, and “theism”, meaning God. Panentheism understands God and the world to be inter-related with the world being in God and God being in the world. It offers an increasingly popular alternative to traditional theism and pantheism. Panentheism seeks to avoid both isolating God from the world as traditional theism often does and identifying God with the world as pantheism does. Traditional theistic systems emphasize the difference between God and the world while panentheism stresses God's active presence in the world. Pantheism emphasizes God's presence in the world but panentheism maintains the identity and significance of the non-divine. Anticipations of panentheistic understandings of God have occurred in both philosophical and theological writings throughout history (Hartshorne and Reese 1953; Cooper, 2006). However, a rich diversity of panentheistic understandings has developed in the past two centuries primarily in Christian traditions responding to scientific thought (Clayton and Peacocke 2004) - Definition from Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy

Right we agree that a definition of you needs to include that you are of the world (universe) while simultaneously transcending the universe.In other words physical and non-physical. The way I see this is that it has to occur on two level the physical and the spiritual.

So let us define our terms spiritual and physical. Would you agree that the physical is the world of your senses and those devices that extend your senses beyond the limitations of your bodies?

Yes, we have discussed this before. I understand the spiritual to be the intangible portion of our universe, The realm of emotion, thought, understanding and imagination and perhaps Carl Jung's concept of collective unconscious. This is where we meet. In that spiritual realm of imagination. I ask my questions, you provide answers but nothing beyond what I can't know. It would be much easier if you could just give me the lottery numbers. So you don't work independent of my imagination, which makes it difficult to believe in an objective GOD. Though some folks do and I wonder if my experience is different from theirs. I seem to have to jump through rational hoops to believe in you yet I feel your presence as a physical entity. Fully alive, fully formed with personality, a sense of humor, and deep, abiding compassion for physical life. Even omnipotent despite all the evidence to the contrary. That's where faith comes in. Because I do feel your intangible physical presence here in our universe it is easy to have faith.

So back to your original question. Some people just "get it" some get it with a bit work such as meditation and yoga, others can be brought to understanding through rationality and some are just not ready yet. But all will eventually understand. There is no separation from me, I am the alpha and omega, the yin the yang. the material and immaterial. The only separation that exists is the result of your individual freedom of choice.

Dalai Lama Inner Peace and a question.

2010-04-27T23:07:00.012-04:00

standing on my head asked this question in response to my Tree of Life post.

standing on my head said...
hara, dan tian, many similar "centers" in many philosophies. this is the space from which we all create. so if we're off-center, what do we create?

The simple answer is to look to your own life. Is there harmony or discord present?. As the primary co-creator in your reality these indications represent the state of your center.

Easy to understand I think. Our outer life is a reflection of our inner life. Yet my outer life is in turmoil constantly and I dont' feel turmoily inside, just oily.

Yes you do. You admitted as much in a comment to Kass in Going Down Hill today. You have been holding on to frustration and anger while making believe that spring time is a time for cheerfulness and good-natured civility to all. You're not succeeding at lying to yourself.

What's this then?

Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs. A psychological model that defines the necessary ingredients to attain self actualization. Here at the base we see the physical foundation, the bodily needs and the need for security. These satisfied, in balance, then the higher level of of love and esteem needs become important. Lack of balance in the emotional life or dissatisfaction in this realm can become a sticking point for many people. keeping them from realizing self -actualization.

What does self-actualization mean?

Aren't I supposed to be asking you the questions.

You're the psychologist in training and a dudeist priest. Just answer the questions. They're not for me. My needs are met on all a levels all the time. Besides you brought it up.

Simply put the ability to act compassionately is self actualization. Though compassion can manifest at any level. But as the Dalai Lama said to act with compassion brings benefit to the compassionate. So I gain the benefit by helping others to make sure the basic needs and the intermediate needs are filled. This is the highest good you can do another being. Karma accumulates and raises all to higher levels.

So where are you seeing turmoil on this pyramid in your life that is reflected both in your inner and outer worlds?

I would say the self esteem. here are a few of the key elements.

Recognition (external motivator)
Attention (external motivator)
Social Status (external motivator)
Accomplishment (internal motivator)
Self-respect (internal motivator)

Of these which would you say are lacking?

All of them to an extent. Losing my job along with the physical problems I've been experiencing has been a a blow to my self respect. I get some satisfaction of accomplishment, attention and recognition through these blogs. But I'm not getting anything from my family which is what I crave.

Why aren't you getting these needs fulfilled through your family?

My behavior. I take out the frustration on them because they are close, and to be honest, they let me get away with behaving badly.

So fix yourself. Act with compassion toward your family, show love, meet their needs and in turn and you may see your needs met.

The Tree of Life – a Poem

2010-04-14T21:53:00.002-04:00

Image via Wikipedia

Behold that before the emanations were emanated and the creatures were created,
The Upper Simple Light had filled the whole existence.
And there was no vacancy, such as an empty air, a hollow,
But all was filled with that Simple, Boundless Light.
And there was no such part as head, or end,
But everything was One, Simple Light, balanced evenly and equally,
And it was called “the Light of Ein Sof (Infinity).”
And when upon His simple will, came the desire to create the worlds and emanate the emanations,
To bring to light the perfection of His deeds, His names, His appellations,
Which was the cause of the creation of the worlds,
Then the Ein Sof restricted Himself, in His middle point, precisely at the center,
And He restricted that Light, and drew far off to the sides around that middle point.
And there remained an empty space, an empty air, a vacuum
Precisely from the middle point.
And that restriction was equally around that empty, middle point,
So that the space was evenly circled around it.
And after the restriction, when the vacant space remained empty
Precisely in the middle of the Light of Ein Sof,
A place was formed, where the Emanations, Creations, Formations, and Actions might reside.
Then from the Light of Ein Sof, a single line hung down from Above, lowered into that space.
And through that line, He emanated, created, formed, and made all the worlds.

(Rav Isaac Luria) On the Kabbalah

I see you are studying another cosmology. its good to look to different sources, but as you know all paths will lead to me. One slice of infinity is still infinite; so you understand that the slice contains the whole?

I'm wondering if a 4,000 year tradition of research into the questions I ask has generated answers that we may not have discussed. I seem to be at a point where my questions are answered. Yet I wonder what have I actually learned?

This is a question you must answer yourself.

Finding God - a conversion experience

2010-04-08T01:04:00.013-04:00

Good evening Lord;

   Lloyd had sneaky eyebrows, big and bushy. In group he would point them at you like a weapon when he asked a question. I always felt compelled to answer truthfully. I was in alcohol rehab to try to get to the bottom of the binge drinking that occurred whenever I was away from my family

Loneliness?

Well yeah, but there was also a lot of depression involved. I discovered later that seasonal affective disorder was part of the problem. Anyway at the time I didn't believe in you. At least not when asked. In retrospect I think I have felt your presence since I young but denied you entry into my adult life.

Yes, Especially after your brother's death. You went into a period of deep seated hatred for what you felt as injustice. After all he was only 13 when he passed. If you remember, you cursed me quite often following that.

Yeah, I hated you for letting him die. I hated myself for being in the next room not realizing he was dying. And I started drinking again. It was nothing new to me after all I was a Navy trained lush.

I thought this was about your conversion experience not your alcoholism?

I'm getting there, jeez your pushy! So anyway I'm in rehab hating myself and hating god, blaming the drinking on loneliness. In group session one morning Lloyd pointed his eyebrows at me and asked "If god were here in this room what you would say to him" Everything in me jumped as did I, screaming at the top of my lungs "Get the fuck out motherfucker, You're not wanted here. You have fucked up up everything you have touched. By now I'm in tears, snot blowing from my nose. Eight other group members and Lloyd staring at me in shock while I continued to rant "If it wasn't for you motherfucker Jay would be alive. Just get the fuck out of my life and stay out, you incompetent fuck."

Yet here I am as always, along with Jake. we will always be here for you. No one is ever really dead in spirit. As long as you carry him in your heart he will never die
.
  That's the conversion experience isn't it? Being born again as some Christians say. But I wasn't there yet. As part of rehab we were required to attend AA meetings nightly and to try to follow their 12 step program. Here's where I had some trouble. The first three steps right out of the big book.

1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become
unmanageable.
2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to
sanity.
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we
understood Him
.
  Well Step one was easy. It was clear my life was unmanageable. However coming to believe in a power greater than myself could restore us to sanity was a lot more difficult.

  People in AA have talked about making a doorknob, a chair, even a particular tile on the floor as that power greater than themselves. Maybe it worked for them but it didn't work for me. I had to find a power greater than myself and I could name lots but none I really believed were greater than myself. My responsibilty to my family? I had abandoned that when I started drinking heavily.

Are you going to come to a point here soon? You're losing your audience.
Ha, funny guy! You got someplace to be, oh omnipresent one?

A little respect please. remember I am the Alpha and the Omega.

I'm impressed, not! So one quiet night just before lights out another group member and I were talking I was explaining my problem to him and he says "Why not use Jay as your Higher Power. It was at that moment I felt Jay's presence come to me holding out his hands. I stood. We hugged. I broke into tears again. Snot blowing from my nose Jake and I headed toward the bathroom. As I washed my face and dried my eyes I would glance up and Jay would be standing next to me not saying anything. I just knew that he was alright and somehow I knew I would be alright too. Laughter returned to my life.

I laid in bed for hours just enjoying Jay's presence. Later, I began to feel another presence with him. That was you Lord. I can't explain how I knew, it just seemed self evident. For the first time since I was child I crawled out of bed, stayed down on my knees and silently prayed to you for forgiveness, for doubting, for hating, for every sin I had committed or felt was my responsibility. I also forgave you for the wrongs I felt were your responsibility.

There was nothing to forgive dear Michael. As you forgave me you forgave yourself. You are a product of the human condition, I've said before that you are everyman. An emotional, psychological, spiritual being trapped in a physical body for now.

Yeah I've been meaning to speak to you about that. Did they have to take my bladder? These internal plumbing problems suck.

  Cancer happens. You smoke cigarettes for 25 years knowing they are a cause of cancer, then you are surprised when you get it? Take better care of this magnificent temple created just for you.

Well too late now.

No it's not. maybe for your bladder but not for the rest. I would prefer you spend a little longer where you're at. You are coming along nicely.

So, I spend the next few years studying every book on religion I could get my hands on from the mundane to the erudite. The Bible from Genesis to Revelations, the Book of Mormon, the Urantia book, The Velveteen Rabbit and the Course in Miracles, Matthew Fox, Emmet Fox, Matin Luther, Martin Luther King. I started going to church weekly. A nice Unity Church, Christian but not in your face Christianity. At one point I accepted Christ as my savior, but that didn't last. I can accept Jesus as a friend who walks in spirit on my right side, I don't suppose I need a savior. But I can't accept the religions founded in his memory. They seem hypocritical though mostly well meaning, with some outrageous exceptions. Can you do something about the Westboro Baptist Church, maybe a lightning bolt or tornado.

If it happens it happens. But not at your whim.

   So that's my come to God story. Rather mundane. No pirates, Capt Jack Sparrow is AWOL, The messiah may or may not return and Revelations is a bunch of crap. I learned we, each of us, have a personal connection to a god of our understanding. Step 3 out of the way and I'm on the road to recovery. Whatever that means.

It mean's that you, who were once dead in spirit, are reborn in spirit.
Now would be a good time for that video.

So my question to you is "What if god Were all of us?"

I am that I am.

And that is a lot more than I ever imagined. Life without spirit is meaningless.
Thanks for partying with me tonight. I'm crying and blowing snot again. Why did you create pollen?

Just to piss you off!

Stuck in Lodi, Again,

2010-03-30T17:49:00.000-04:00

Image by unifiedphoto via Flickr

Hello Abba.

One day a young Buddhist on his journey home came to the banks of a wide river. Staring hopelessly at the great obstacle in front of him, he pondered for hours on just how to cross such a wide barrier. Just as he was about to give up his pursuit to continue his journey he saw a great teacher on the other side of the river. The young Buddhist yells over to the teacher, "Oh wise one, can you tell me how to get to the other side of this river"?

The teacher ponders for a moment looks up and down the river and yells back, "My son, you are on the other side"

An Interview with God at Dribbleglass.com

No religion too.

2010-03-12T19:27:00.000-05:00

Staying the Course

2010-03-03T11:33:00.001-05:00

Image by Blueberry Pony via Flickr

Good Morning Abba, I've been getting a bit discouraged about the numbers of folks who aren't coming to visit this blog. I've had on occasion thought about ending it because I'm not getting the kind of response I had hoped for when starting out. Then I ran across Janet Connors' website "Writing Down Your Soul" and I see that there are others out there doing much the same thing. It heartens me to know that you are speaking with others on much the same level that you are speaking with me. Beside I do this mostly for me. If others get something from it that's swell. Thank You.

No questions to me this morning?

Well, No not really. The power of prayer is on my mind. I seldom pray as a request for your help. Often for guidance but I have trouble with accepting prayer as helpful in fulfilling needs.

Yet, you seldom fail to say thank you and give me credit when something needful does happen. It seems to me that in this instance your afraid of walking your talk. What is that about?

Disappointment possibly. I have failed at times to get what I wanted or thought I needed though I've tried prayer, affirmations and the work necessary to succeed, yet often success eludes me.

Is that what you want then, success? How do you define that?

I'm thinking of the material trappings of modern day living that I've had such difficulty attaining or holding on to. I want more security for my family. I want meaningful , not demeaning work.

So ask, then.

Lord, God of my understanding. I pray for your help in obtaining meaningful work, something I can be proud of doing while bringing in considerably more money so as to raise our standing of living. I ask your help in resolving the issues caused by past mistakes. I pray for a quick and enduring solution the to the economic conditions within our country and throughout the world. I pray for relief in those countries so devastated by natural disasters. I pray for an end to the conflicts around the globe that threaten people and their cultures.
Thank you.

Now I ask you to open your eyes, look for the evidence of your requests. Look, with trust in me and faith in how the universe works. Do what is yours to do. I will do what is mine to do.

Energy and Human Nature

2010-02-18T09:12:00.004-05:00

Good morning, Abba! A bright but chilly day here in the OV. I'm looking forward to a productive and interesting discussion this morning.

Good morning to you Michael. You seem in much better spirits today than has been the case these last few weeks.

Very true. I seem to plagued by a certain peevishness, though not really out of character, it has become a bit more rare in the past few months. I seem unable to shake it completely. It also manifests around my family. They seem to be especially annoying the crap out of me. I know it's me and not them who is at fault. But I can't seem to hold my tongue. I've spent some time in meditation and contemplation yet the underlying anger is still present. I've been researching and contemplating the effect of rhythm and vibration on our emotional state. I have become convinced that there are emotional cycles we move through as we go about our lives. Could you bring some clarity to this for me?

  As your physicists have theorized the universe and all that is of the universe is energy in different form. Energy vibrates at a full spectrum of frequencies some detectable to your science and other frequencies have not been detected as of yet. You are indeed subject to the long slow low frequencies of the planet you inhabit. You are also subject to the energy fields that the earth travels through in its trip around your star. You are affected by the frequencies of the tremendous energy given off by that star. Additionally you are affected by the forces of your planet's magnetic field, its position in the solar system with relationship to the other bodies and gravity fields present. Extend these influences also out into the galaxy as a whole. Everything has an ebb and flow, It is all harmony and your individual bodies respond to the larger influences. You discussed this some with Judy earlier in the week.

Yes I did mention it, this is not unfamiliar to me. I'm concerned that this may just be part of our animal nature.  I am wondering if there is more I can do to control or repress these destructive thoughts and behaviors?

Meditation and contemplation are good places to start. More exercise would be beneficial as well. At this level of your growth you are not going to be able to completely embrace your monkey nature and transcend that behavior. Repression of the emotions and behavior while seemingly beneficial at first is harmful to the personality in the longer run. Eventually it will find an outlet, not necessarily an appropriate expression.

So we are pretty much stuck with ourselves; where can we go from here?

Go forward in faith. You are what you are Mr Williams. Man born of woman. You are a contradiction and a conundrum to yourself and sometimes even to your creator. You have chosen a physical existence requiring great strength and perseverance. I marvel at these as well as the weakness inherit in your position. You have the capacity for great and glorious good also great and glorious evil. You get to choose. In a sense Mr Williams you are every man. No better, no worse, no weaker, no stronger, you love life and live life according to your own reckoning, sometimes magnanimously, sometimes selfishly. You are what you are Michael; a true Son born into an imperfect world of doubt, fear and weakness. You are what you need to be. You always have been.

Walk in peace. Salvation has been achieved. The Creator is among the creation. He has looked and found it good.

Happy Feet

2010-02-10T00:56:00.003-05:00

Shall we dance to the sound of the breaking waves?

That's what I wanted to talk about, sound, music the vibration of the universe and all the objects contained therein. You imagery is wonderful; to play along the shore, perhaps tag with the whitewater. Moving to our own internal rhythms. occasionally getting that there is something deeper as well as higher we can tap into. I remember fondly working briefly with the dance department of Gallaudet University. The dancers, each of them deaf moved to the rhythm of the bass notes which they could feel through their feet. Each moving in perfect synchrony with the rest. In a similar yet different way each of us move to the sound of unheard notes.
This brings me to the Science of Spirituality. Three words that aren't normally seen together unless it's some one talking about quantum phenomena and consciousness.

Taking up new-age wishful thinking about quantum physics and spirituality will also not do much to change the character of the debate. Discussions about science and the sacred must speak to the fundamental nature of our encounter with the world. There is a saying from the Zen Buddhist tradition that the point of practice is to not fool yourself. We should accept that we are adept at doing just that. We will need to be particularly vigilant in resisting claims that science "proves" some cherished set of beliefs. - Dr Adam Frank Astrophysicist, University of Rochester

So this is what I want to focus on; "the fundamental nature of our encounter with the world" or the universe.

I have said elsewhere in our discussions that reality operates on many planes or levels of reality simultaneously. Some of you have chosen to focus on one level or another. The narrowness of focus obscures the greater picture yet contributes to a broader understanding in the long run. An example is medicine where modern science through years of research has developed groundbreaking technologies in helping people live longer and healthier lives. But mainstream medicine often overlooks the benefits of alternative ways of thinking and healing. Much criticism recently has been said of the effectiveness of homeopathy with good reason. Science has not proven any efficacy in the practice. perhaps because homeopathy works on another level of reality where experience is not subject to experimentation. This is because dis-ease is the product of physical illness but psychic and spiritual illness as well. Healers should not throw out the baby with the bathwater; it has been shown that a change in circumstances for the better can do much to improve health.
Likewise in other branches of science a failure to incorporate spiritual or psychic phenomena ( I speak of the human mind here not extrasensory perception; though that is indeed another level of reality) limits the ability of science to explain reality on other levels. Even limits the ability of science to adequately explain the reality it professes to explain.
At this point in your (humanity's) development. Science, spirituality and consciousness should be working to advance compassion. To take care of those suffering, yet understanding that there will be suffering on this plain of existence until you all decide there doesn't have to be. Take care of each other with your science, or with your religion or spirituality. Compassion for others, lifting all with the rising tide of understanding to a new and better world.

I understand but let me reiterate. Individuals living their own lives; pursuing their own dreams and goals separately are in fact working together to create a world where we are truly responsible for one another. Yet most are unaware. It takes the expansion of consciousness to realize that we are on the same path in different ways. With what progress we make individually we help the whole to progress.

Yes, science and spirituality with compassion toward the individual and the culture of the individual will do much to further spiritual and scientific gains. Good night Michael.

Co-Creators

2010-01-31T23:54:00.003-05:00

I want to go back in time and revisit one of the small talks we had way back in 2001. I have the notes I took but would like a fresh perspective on the subject. "Could you talk a little about your personality? Who is God?

I am that I am, I am how the universe works. I express myself in the movement of the galaxies, and the beat of a moth's wing. I am the yin and the yang; I am the Alpha and Omega. I AM. But my personality is impersonal. Meaning that whatever you, each of you, individually give is what you see reflected. Do you want a strict authoritarian father figure, then that is what you shall have, a laughing Buddha, Done. A compassionate Jesus or a spiteful Satan, you shall have either or both. But know, I am all there is, I encompass and enfold the opposites I am that I am, capice?

I think I get it. So then monotheism is correct?

If you wish it to be. So is pantheism, So is the trinity, as is atheism. I am impersonal. I do not care what is reflected back any more than the mirror does. That is not the same as saying I don't care about you. I care for each and every one of you and every part of my creation. I don't care what you think of me. I am what I am, as are you.

What are we then?

Co-creators of your individual universes.

Universes, sure I understand that we each experience a different universe because from our perspective we are the center of our creation; that our choices and the circumstances of our lives together with you and other co-creators determine the course of our lives. We are free to change our circumstances at any time provided those changes are within the limits established by our co-creation. Do I have this correct?

Essentially yes, though there are some details, important details that you have overlooked.

Let's see what I remember. One of the conditions and maybe the most important one to my fellow humans is that "no on gets out alive". Death is a circumstance of living not to be escaped. We have some say so in the manner and time of our deaths, however even that is limited. Another condition is that we cannot at any time circumvent the laws of the universes. We might be able to change the rules in our personal universe but not without consequences. Could you take it from that point please?

Certainly and this is something we have spoken of on prior occasion. Since you co-create with others as well as myself, in order to effect great change you would need a great consensus of like minded individuals working together. Even then change is easier to accomplish by using the limits in place to your advantage. For example, it has been said that if god wanted people to fly they would have been born with airline tickets. Or wings, what have you. Instead you have used the abilities of the minds you have to use the "laws of physics" and aerodynamics to create flight on your own; in multiple fascinating variety.

Thank you, Abba. I going to stop here for now. There is some fascinating material. Good night!

Touching the Eternal

2010-01-23T02:07:00.004-05:00

Something special happened here tonight, yet I'm at a loss to define what it was. I reference the conversation between Garlandless Judy and myself from my last posting. Lord I will put the question to you. WTF?

Judy reached out and touched the Eternal Impersonal I.

I don't understand what that means. I mean Eternal I get and even Impersonal and I of course but put them all together as you did and I'm confused. What is the Eternal Impersonal I?

i am that I am.

That's what Popeye says I y'am what I y'am.

Judy reached out and touched the universe. The universe touched back. I assure you it was a joyous occasion for all of creation. There is little more to say, her experience was unique to her. She brings her beliefs, values and expectations to this event. She will interpret it in her own fashion. yet you are right that the memory of the experience will be enough to enable her to reach out again in love and be met in kind. You have both accomplished a great deal tonight. You see, your influence begins to spread. Judy's will do the same, though not in the same manner. Get some sleep now.

I will. Thank you so much for allowing me to participate.

Setting Boundaries

2010-01-17T21:53:00.011-05:00

Good evening Michael I see you once again have done an on-line ordination. This time with the Church of the latter Day Dudes. This is your third ordination yet you have no interest in pursuing the clergy as a calling.

10 or 12 years ago I was considering seriously a career as a chaplain. I worked my way toward my goal only to find obstacle after obstacle in my way. I guess I was expecting an easier time trying to do your work here on earth.

Yet, you dealt with these obstacles by quitting your path. Then like the gentleman on the roof during the flood you ignored the help I sent to get you started again.

True, though to be fair I didn't expect 24% interest on a loan to be much help. Yet it would have gotten me through that last semester had I applied myself. However I was having second thoughts on my career choice. It wasn't feeling like a calling anymore. There was no passion there.

Passion is not a criteria for helping others, compassion is. That is something you have in plenitude, yet you seldom put it to use constructively. I have noticed that when you have money and time you are not stingy with sharing that time and money with those less fortunate. Though when you perceive a lack in your own life you will hold back from giving, but not from caring. Perhaps there are ways that you can share your compassion and talent by raisng money instead of giving money. Many volunteer organizations exist to which you would be of value. In the next few days I will show you a few paths you may follow. In fact this puppeteering group for which you have just inquired may be an answer. What are your thoughts?

It seems that with other organizations that I have given my time to, they are not satisfied until I am giving all of me to further their cause. They take and take and take until the satisfaction I had from doing the right thing has become reason to stop. I liked working with Whitlock precisely because I could choose when to give of my time and money while remaining anonymous, no one coming after me for more.

Certainly it takes a bit of assertiveness on your part to establish boundaries. As long as you keep saying yes than people will keep asking. This is an aspect of human nature. if you look back to the gospels you will see that Jesus had much the same dilemma. The hordes of suffering were to much for any man. He chose to leave then send others in his place to minister to the unfortunate.This not a lack of compassion but a lack of time, energy and resources. learn to say no to new demands placed on you. Only accept what you can do. Others will be there to pick up the slack.

Thank you once again Lord for an informative and useful chat.

Welcome Friends...

2010-01-08T03:29:00.000-05:00

...to Small talk with God. Lord would you mind reiterating for my friends what is happening here.

Certainly Michael. Welcome friends! Michael and I are embarked on a exercise in co-creation. The same that you and I are involved in when you pursue any creative endeavor. There are limitations Michael has set for himself. I am limited to using Michael's knowledge skills, and memories in this endeavor. There will be no revelation, no reading of the future beyond what Michael is capable of discerning for himself if he but takes the effort to think things through.

That's awfully convenient, I get to do all of the typing.

And make all of the typos.

Thank you very much. I get to look like I'm nuts. Why should anyone believe I am actually conversing with God? What proof can you offer?

If it works for you then use it. If it doesn't work then discard it. What proof can anyone offer of any revelation. The Bible, The Koran, The Book of Mormon, The Urantia Book, they all hold this in common. They're based in faith. What others believe is their business. Why should anyone concern themself with another's belief unless that belief is harmful. You and I have had this discussion many times.

Sure we have. I also know that these are my self set limitations. I would rather have people think that I'm eccentric than to have them think I'm some sort of prophet. I have seen what happens to prophets. Well read about it anyway. But, I would like people to know that I'm not just making it up as I go along.

That is exactly what you are doing. Making it up as you go along. Moment by moment the co-creation happens. Each second a beginning. Be mindful of that beginning, that moment.

I try. However, I blink and the moment is gone. I think It's time for bed. Goodnight Father.

Sleep well, Michael. Goodnight Ladies.

New Life

2010-01-05T02:52:00.000-05:00

This brand-new day begins with Christ in me.

Good morning Lord, Could you give me a definition of the Christ and what it means to have the Christ in me?

And a good morning to you as well Michael. Literally the Christ is the Anointed One from Hebrew mythology, adopted by the followers of Jesus of Galilee as their name for the messiah born; Christ Jesus. In the Jewish tradition the Christ (Messiah) is yet to come. In most Christian faiths the Christ will be reborn. In your church Christ represents the indwelling spirit of the anointed present in everyone, but not always realized. The term Christ is not a part of the Buddhist, Hindi or other eastern belief systems. However, the Christ within could be likened to the Tao. The Tao IS, the Christ IS, the Universe IS. You (plural) are made of the woof and warp of the universe, physically, psychologically, and spiritually. I include emotion under the psychological because so much of your (plural) mood is made up of the transitory thoughts you have at any given moment. So the Christ in you is awareness of the deep connection with How the Universe Works.

Divine Order

2009-12-21T05:34:00.002-05:00

The Daily Word; December 21st, 2009 Unity Church

I am one with the divine order of life.

Entering now into winter, I recall the memory of spring's blossoms and the potential they displayed. The tiny buds soaking up the spring rain, yearning to bloom into the fruit and flowers of summer.

I am one with the divine order of life, and in this divine flow I am productive while at ease. I am peaceful, balanced and aware. I exercise my body and eat wholesome foods, get pleasure from both work and leisure, enjoy friends and family, and nurture myself with revitalizing sleep. Guided and nourished by the Spirit within, I continue to grow in spiritual understanding, always toward the light of God. I am immersed in the divine order of life, and all is well.
I will give you your rains in their season, and the land shall yield its produce, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.--Leviticus 26:4

Today is the Celebration of Winter Solstice Traditions
12:47 pm EST (1747 GMT) on Dec. 21

Yule Tide greetings

Good morning Michael, I'm am ready too start if you are. I appreciate your selection of the Daily Word. Indeed you are one with the divine order of life though it works better as an affirmation. I affirm you are one with the divine order of life. Now you must also affirm that truth.

I am one with the divine order of life.
I and my father are one. You know each night I mumble the Lord's Prayer before I fall asleep. Talk to me a about divine order, fate and free will please. I think there is something I'm missing.

The Lord's Prayer is perhaps the one remaining remnant of your childhood religious upbringing. In time, at your own pace, chosen by an act of will you abandoned childhood beliefs to embrace a fuller, more complex model of how the universe works. The universe is as it is, planets orbit stars in a predictable pattern, thus you celebrate your solstice today. Your recent video clip of the universe would fit nicely here.

You see, everything is in place. The physical principles that govern the universe are becoming known to your scientists and philosophers. Fate works in retrospect does it not. You talk of your meeting your wife as if it was ordained from the beginning of time. Destiny is not a fixed entity or set of random circumstances. It is fluid and dynamic subject to the nature of how the universe works and your own free will.

Fate is a conversation best left for another day. suffice to say that life is not preordained.

As usual you have given me much to think on. Those of us who do believe free will is a mirage seem happier in many ways. As if the weight of decision making has been taken from them. I see the appeal. I also see that to give up responsibility for your life leads one down a dangerous path. Thank you. I know there is more but as you say it can wait for another day.

Aliens, Sasquatch and The Jersey Devil

2009-11-14T14:06:00.000-05:00

Hello Lord, Its nice to spend some time with you today rather than in the middle of the night.

And a good day to you as well Michael. I know that today's topic is one that we began exploring years ago together.

Yes Way back in 2002 I was listening to some of the radio programs on late at at night such as as Coast to Coast and Whitley's Streiber's Dreamland. Art Bell and George Noury were hosting Coast to Coast taking calls about supernatural topics, ghosts, crop circles and such. Whitley Streiber focused more on the alien abductions and the meaning behind such actions if indeed they have meaning. He seems to be convinced of the reality of his experience and is believable. He claimed a series of abductions of him and his family by beings he calls the Greys. His book Communion published way back in 1987, describes his experiences without speculating on the nature of the beings he terms "visitors". Do visitors of this kind actually inhabit the earth and is this something humans should be concerned with?

You ask direct questions today, So I expect you will want direct replies. so the answer to your questions is yes nonhuman intelligence does occupy the earth with you but not in the way that you mean. Also non human intelligence can be a threat but again not in the way that you mean. Let me explain. First on earth non human intelilgence surrounds you in your animal population. Humans have tended to discount this in the past because it is intelligence of a different kind than yours. For example your dog Sam has senses and abilities that are of a different order of magnitude than yours. Her brain has evolved to use those senses in the manner that best fits her lifestyle. Her brain while not as complex uses her senses to understand the world around to her and to fulfill her basics needs. For example being dependent on you for survival she is much more aware of your emotions and mannerisms than you are of hers. She interprets your actions in a way that anticipates her needs. Savvy?

Sure I've seen this on the Discovery channel and Animal Planet. You are just reminding me of what I already know. "Savvy" Are we in some pirate or cowboy movie?

Just having a bit of fun. This is not what you are really after with your questions I just wanted to point out thee ubiquitous nature of non-human intelligence on your planet. You share your planet with a wide variety of beings that have been the source of myths and legends throughout the ages. Also many of them are finding the world to be an increasingly harsh and dangerous place. As mankind takes over more of the wilderness he comes into increasing contact with these beings. A certain amount of interbreeding has occurred and you occasionally see the result in the folk around you. For example the long lean body type with slightly pointed ears may be the descendants of the vanishing small pool of the elfin folk of fantasy. Look for these characteristics on people around you for example; Fred Astaire had a certain lightness of being that attracted people to his dancing and his character. your current president Mr Obama has some of those same attributes.

What! you're saying Obama is an elf?

Just be open to the idea. It is quite possible his distant ancestors passed down elfin blood that found its way to your president and is evident in his long lean body type and the shape of his ears.

They seem perfectly round to me. But what do Obama's ears have to do with visitors?

Nothing, I'm just pointing out that earth has long been shared between various non-human intelligence and this is what is often encountered, spoken of, exagerrated and lied about by participants in these encounters. Often the aspects presented manifest differently to different onlookers.
There are also beings of the spirtual realm present on your world from time to time. You could actually view these beings as extra-dimensional. how the universe works is not confined to the dimensions available to your senses. Occasionally spirtual can manifest on your world to promote individual psychic or spiritual growth. Ghosts, shadow people and haunting are beings of this category. Most at one time lived a human existence but have been reluctant to gracefully exit when their time here is finished. This is part of their growth and the people who chance to encounter such beings also are using such encounter to gain insight into what comes beyond this life. These lessons are not necessary for everyone at this stage of their development. Even so many people have had encounters with spiritual beings in their everyday life which they have discounted as real.

Sure, I have encountered these shadow people you speak of in ordinary activities such as walking the dog. Both Sam and I have briefly looked the being over, Sam in her way and I in mine. Sensing no malevolence we part to our separate paths. Sam is much more likely to stay and investigate than I am.

Yes, you and your dog's curiosity are of different types. Humans are less curious about these spiritual entities than they would admit. Often phenomenon go completely undetected unless pointed out by another human or an animal's behavior. There are a number of haunted dwellings and places of extra-spiritual gathering in your world. These entities that inhabit these places do not belong to your world but to other realms. This makes it difficult to gather physical evidence of the kind that would be scientists need to examine.

As stated life exists on many levels of reality, Often beings of different realms are going through growth patterns that parallel each other making contact across boundaries necessary for that growth. Non human intelligence exists in may forms throughout your universe. The vast majority you will never encounter. Aliens of the kind popularized by science fiction and sensationalism do not visit your planet. Intelligencet beings throughout the universe are generally of the same magnitude. There are no super evolved beings anywhere, but each species is evolving toward higher intelligence and adaptability. Yours among them.

What about creatures like Sasquatch, chupacabra and the Jersey Devil?

Many of these creatures are of the type we have just spoken of. Crossing interdimensional boundaries to interact for various reasons. your so called Grey visitors are also of this type. They are working out their own view of reality in ways that sometimes involve humans. But they are not inherently anymore dagerous to you than you are to them. Sasquatch, Chupacabra, the Jersey Devil are less evolved dimensional creatures who may find themselves in this dimension and become confused, and frustrated, Normally they are are not here long enough to be captured or to do any serious damage. The encounters humans have with these creatures are confused and mystifying for those involved. Often exaggerated and lied about these stories grow. Again physical evidence is hard to come by since they do not live in your world as do the the creatures of legend we spoke of at the beginning of this conversation.

Wow, Fred Astaire, and Barack Obama have elfin blood, Saquatch exists. This is pretty cool stuff. Thank you for spending so much time with me today.

This is actually a manifestation of your energy level. If we did this more often during the daylight hours without being drugged we could have more in depth conversations.

I'll keep that in mind. Thanks again.

Charter for Compassion Unveiled

2009-11-12T23:16:00.000-05:00

After much fanfare and celebration a chart for compassion is unveiled. Now to make known throughout the world. because if we dont live by it what's the point. I think we each need to take a hard look at this and ask ourselves "was this action done out of compassion for others or toward my own wish fulfillment. I belive by asking this of ourselves we can indeed grow as indiviuals and as a species. Putting superficial differences behind and accepting out greater community of humanity as one people as whole and worthy. Here is the charter:

A call to bring the world together…

The principle of compassion lies at the heart of all religious, ethical and spiritual traditions, calling us always to treat all others as we wish to be treated ourselves. Compassion impels us to work tirelessly to alleviate the suffering of our fellow creatures, to dethrone ourselves from the centre of our world and put another there, and to honour the inviolable sanctity of every single human being, treating everybody, without exception, with absolute justice, equity and respect.

It is also necessary in both public and private life to refrain consistently and empathically from inflicting pain. To act or speak violently out of spite, chauvinism, or self-interest, to impoverish, exploit or deny basic rights to anybody, and to incite hatred by denigrating others—even our enemies—is a denial of our common humanity. We acknowledge that we have failed to live compassionately and that some have even increased the sum of human misery in the name of religion.

We therefore call upon all men and women ~ to restore compassion to the centre of morality and religion ~ to return to the ancient principle that any interpretation of scripture that breeds violence, hatred or disdain is illegitimate ~ to ensure that youth are given accurate and respectful information about other traditions, religions and cultures ~ to encourage a positive appreciation of cultural and religious diversity ~ to cultivate an informed empathy with the suffering of all human beings—even those regarded as enemies.

We urgently need to make compassion a clear, luminous and dynamic force in our polarized world. Rooted in a principled determination to transcend selfishness, compassion can break down political, dogmatic, ideological and religious boundaries. Born of our deep interdependence, compassion is essential to human relationships and to a fulfilled humanity. It is the path to enlightenment, and indispensible to the creation of a just economy and a peaceful global community.

Mike Dooley's notes from the Universe....

2009-11-10T00:11:00.002-05:00

Mike is a motivational speaker and writer that sends out a daily message from the universe. My message today was "your waiting is over" Good evening Lord nice to be able to spend some quality time with you this evening.

Yes I noticed the Broncos just scored on a fumble. I take it your idea of quality time includes Monday Night Football on in the background. You want a couple of Miller's to go along with that?

Well if I was still drinking, I probably wouldn't be talking to you at all.

Very true, just thought I'd offer. Congratulations on your ordination. I know it's not exactly what you were hoping for, but to be ordained in an established religion would have limited you in ways you don't quite understand right now.This way you have less establishment credibility but you have more room to pass along those things you have learned being unencumbered by tradition as so many religions. Where do you think this change of course will take you.

Well as you know I'm very curious about this upcoming Charter for Compassion that will be unveiled on Thursday. I'm thiniking of moving in the direction of a non-profit foundation. I need to spend some time brainstorming what the foundation would do. Hopefully something to help out those like me who are getting by but just barely in this economy. I don't have any idea how to get started but I hope doors will open as I knock and am willing to walk through.

You may have to rethink your relationship with business. you also have problems with fundraising you will have to overcome. Being shy will not bring supporters to your side, but neither will over aggressiveness. I'm sure you will do well. Take some time over the next few days. Find out if this Charter is what you are hoping for. If so, Then throw in your support in your community. If not then continue the dream in your own fashion. Good luck to you.

You said a moment ago that being ordained in a established religion would be a liability some what. Could you elaborate a little on that please?

Certainly, you know yourself well enough to realize that your spiritual views are not mainstream. I have trouble picturing you as a Catholic priest but no trouble seeing you as an itinerant preacher, speaking offhandly about your beliefs of How the Universe Works. It is time for religion to be a new world order based on reason and compassion for each other. I believe this is where you will find your calling. Just talking to people non-confrontationally about beliefs, values and expectations. Use your listening skills of course. People enjoy opening to you. you have an ability to let folks express themselves as they are.. Just in the last 24 hours talking with the hospital staff, the nurses and other aides folks in your company talk with you. You have matured well. I believe you are ready. Go forth now.

Created Fresh and New

2009-11-04T21:33:00.010-05:00

Good Evening Lord, its been awhile since we have spent time together. I'm looking forward to a beenficial conversation.

Good Evening Michael. its pleasant to talk with you again as always.

I'd like to go back to a conversation we started many years ago. it was about your relationship to religious leaders of today.

Most of the religious leaders of your generation have been forthright and sincere individuals who honestly seek a better understandig of How the Universe Works. They also seek to foster spiritual growth among their adherents. Which in the long run will be beneficial because any attempt to reach me through prayer or conversation will be met likewise. Any one who encourages this type of discourse is also benefitting mankind and his environment.

I had expected a harder condemnation of priests and and religious leaders like Pat Robertson. I guess I'm a little disappointed.

This is your axe to grind not mine. Mr Robertson does do much beneficial work in this world. His failing is that from his viewpoint there is only one to reach me, through him , then through Jesus. This is untrue. For each of these leaders I would ask that they seek communion with me. To turn away from their scriptures and learn my word directly.

But a book, something in black and white is somethng you can show people. See God said this so this is the way it should be,

For all eternity? I am a god of the Now, this instant, created fresh and new from what went before. Why would Scripture written for ages long past and for peoples long since vanshed from you world be of value ot you?

Well just because it is worn and dated doen't mean its not pertinent to today's problems and crises. For example the golden Rule which is what the Charter for Compassion is about. What is wrong with using our sacred texts, the Bible, the Torah, the Koran as a starting point to create a better world?

Just remember that the texts were written for a different time and a different people. Question what you read, beware the reigious leader who preaches scripture out of contest. Remember that the authors while divinely inspired were also trying to filter the infinite through a finite brain.

Charter for Compassion

2009-10-28T23:54:00.005-04:00

Can we do it Lord, can the billions of people alive on this planet put aside their differnces for awhile as the Charter for Compassion is read followed by a week of multi cultural activities around the world..

Sincerity is the key to keeping the inertia in your favor. Once things start to move snowball like, gathering mass and speed, they become difficult to stop. But the initial push needs dedication, in this case from those self same billions Some carrying hatred in their hearts.

You all should take this inter-faith multicultural event to heart to learn from and live.. Why go backwards to hatred and intolerance, when compassion can indeed save the world and make it a better place for all species, not just human. Reach out a hand in this coming month to show you care. Encourage others to do the same regardless of religious beliefs. This movement is beyond artificial boundaries. It instead emphasizes your belief in justice. It will demonstrates your moral stance if you will allow it.

This an opportunity for each of you to to use your ability to spread the word and to live the words "Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you.. I look forward to your paticipation and would like you to be a bit more proactive in spreading this word.

The unveiling of the Charter on November 12, 2009 will kick off a week of events around the world.. The Golden Rule requires that we use empathy -- moral imagination -- to put ourselves in others' shoes. We should act toward them as we would want them to act toward us. We should refuse, under any circumstance, to carry out actions which would cause them harm.

Happiness is....

2009-10-17T23:54:00.000-04:00

Good evening Father, I am happy.For so much of my life I was unhappy, angry often, miserable occasioanlly, and depressed all of the time. I am happy. I'm more in love with my wife Shari than I have ever been. Its just a wonderful feeling. I feeling like donning top hat and tails, dancing with Fred Astaire and Syd Charisse. Have them show me a thing or too.

You are in touch with yourself and with the unvierse in a way you have seldom been at other times in your. life.

Yes, thats eactly the way I feel, more in touch with everything, Will it last?

There will be times that events come together in such a way as to cause anger or unhappiness. The key is too put one foot in front of the other and move back into this way of being you are coming to know well. What you are experiencing now is a small taste of the bliss you have available to you on different levels of reality. Soon, I think you will soon make the decision to move on. Not a sad occasion as long as you keep in mind that you remain under my love and care always.

I'm just getting happy and it's time to leave.That could be depressing.

Sure,if you let it. Remember this will be your decision when and how to move on. There are still a few things you have to know before you do, those will determine your decision. You will know when. Look forward to that time with joy. many loved ones await to begin a new adventure. You will be welcome. You have grown a great deal in this lifetime. You will take much into the next.

Wow, I didn't expect this conversation tonight.

Guidance - Deep in my heart, I know that, truly, all is well.

2009-10-13T23:18:00.013-04:00

Good Evening Father, let me take a few minutes to gather myself. I'm all over the map tonight. Stories of sailing, surfing and fishing, Jimmy Buffett plaiying in my head. It has been a very good day and I thank you.

Good Evening Michael, I see that our topic from the Daily Word is guidance. You posted earlier to a friend in need to experience God with and within. I would say that is guidance. Trust in how the universe works. All will be truly well. Perhaps not at each moment from your individual perspectives but in the Universe all is well. Remain in this moment, it truly is all you have, you can't hold on to them one by one except in memory. You can reach forward to the next moment, in due course it will arrive.

Yes, I worry about my friends in depression even more than my friends dealing with bladder cancer. Depression gives the impression that you are all alone in your misery. By reaching out, to let others know they are not alone is the most benficial therapy. What is your take on guidance?

It has been said that when one door is closed another will open. That is the way of the universe, opportunity abounds in each of your lives. sometimes this requires one to think outside the box. To look for the opportunity in the unexpected place. Follow that guidance trusting that all is well. Use your tools, prayers, journals and meditations to shift the odds a bit in your favor. Look for the still, small voice calling from ahead. "come look over here, see what I have to show you" you will find the unexpected. Expect that.

Thank you Father for your guidance tonight.

Gratitude I am grateful for love given and received.

2009-10-09T22:18:00.002-04:00

Good Evening Father, I'm going to skip the Daily Word lesson for today, Gratitude was the theme, appropriate for Thanksgiving Day for our northern neighbors.. I am thankful. occasionlly angry but grateful none the less. What are you grateful for?

I am grateful for the moments when people surpass their self expectations.. I am grateful for each act of kindness toward another. I am grateful for love freely given and freely recieved. I am grateful for the connections cultivated and the moments shared. I am grateful for compassion in all of its forms, freely expressed by indiviuals, organizations and governments. What are you grateful for?

I am grateful for the small unexpected kindnesses. I am grateful for the smile of a passing stranger. I am grateful for my wife Shari. I am grateful for the people who push me just a little bit further each day. Compassion seems to be moving into the forefront of peoples consciousness which hopefully will guide their actions. As we approach the the unveiling of the Charter for Compassion on November 12th, I would like there to be world wide participation in this event. I believe there is something more than coincidental about Prsident Obama receiving the Nobel Peace Prize and the unveiling of the charter so close together. I feel the United States has so much to give if we can quit being afraid.

Yes you all have so much to give to each other, so much good will to spread throughout your world. The ball is rolling now. It gathers momentum gathering those who have, connecting them with those who have not. Great things are afoot in your personal universe Michael. I think you will be happy at the outcomes of you recent actions.

This sounds promising. I need something positive to hang on to.

You have initiated the changes coming your way. Commitment has been the key. Your willingness to engage others through your chat sights, The friends you have made online and the friends you will be making as your commitments take root and began to bear fruit. Despite the obstacles you face you do have the where with all to follow through on your pledges, by doing so creating a better life for you with your loved ones.

This seems more personal than any conversation we have had to date. I sense a change in our relationship.

No, no change. You remain among with the rest of the people among the beloved of God. You begin to realize your potential and strive to overcome the obstacles that often you have put in your own way.

Well, thank you very much for the opportunity to stretch myself. To revisit and perhaps regain some of what I have lost.

In losing those things, you have actually gained. What was once taken for granted is now difficult to regain. You won't come all the way back. but you understand to a deeper level the value of what was squandered. There will be positive changes.

Thank you Father, I must sleep. Good night Michael

Mindfulness and prayer

2009-10-02T10:18:00.004-04:00

Prayer
As I turn my thoughts to God, my life becomes a prayer.

Good morning Lord, this is an interesting topic for me. I had read years ago of mindfulness of the divine presence all around me and even within me. For a good while I was able to put this into action and my work became fun, No, joyful would be a better way to put it. I was able to do this while working but had greater trouble applying it at home. As if I dropped my conscious connection to you the moment I through walked the door.
I like the idea of life becoming a prayer, When I was in that state of mind everythng seemed clearer, I had greater understanding, I learned easier. I lived life without fear and anger, but was unable to sustain it during times of stress. I would like to hear your comments.

Good Morning to you Michael. I will restate an earlier lesson, that prayer can be causal in that consiousness has an affect on how the universe works by its effect on randomness at the subatomic level. I won't repeat that lecture here and now.

As you are able to quiet your thoughts in mindful meditation as go you about today's business, you may hear the small still voice, or see and otherwise sense my presence in the events of the day. As you eat your meals, become mindful of the food and where it came from, remembering that I am also present along the pathway of the food as it came to your table. As you do your chores, give a little bit extra, put a bit of love in each task, knowing that your love will be reflected by your family and friends. As you take care of todays business be mindful of my presence in each individual with whom you encounter. Greet them with the love within you. You will see it reflected back to you. Pray that events of the day go smoothly but be mindful that events also have an inherent randomness. Maintain the attitude of gratitude. All of life is communication between us, and between each other. This is prayer; mindful communication. Have I said enough?

I believe so. I know what it feel like and can reach toward you in spirit. That I know Ican do this consciously until it becomes habit. Praying is good. For me keeping a journal was good, as was taking a chance in beginning a dialogue with you.. These things have let me prolong the mindulness of your presence. Still not perfect but I sense you reaching toward me as I reach toward you and one day we will be one.

Michael we are already one. No duality exists in spirit. Spirit is as much a part of your being as is your body and your mind.The Spirit of how the universe works encompasses as much within you as it does the physical universe you are at one with.

I would like to explore that last statement some more with you. But not at this time. Communion is hard work.

It doesn't have to be. I believe the actual chore of typing for both you and I is the hard part. Good Day Michael. We will revisit this topic again.

Thank you Father for this communion.

This is your right as a citizen of the universe.

Joy

2009-09-27T23:46:00.003-04:00

Joy

I am a joyful child of God.

Good Evening Michael, Come to me in Joy. Bring the exuberence you once had for life.

Good evning Father, I find that joy becomes more difficult to hold on to than it was when I was a child playing in the leaves of a beautiful autumn day. It's hard to find joy when I am hurting and others around me hurt as well. We carry on, we put one foot in front of the other and we do what needs to be done. But often its just plain stubborness that keeps us going. it's hard to be Joyful when the situation demands a stoic demeanor.

Aren't these the times when joy is most necessary. when you can carry your burdens with a "song in your heart and the wind in your hair" ? Realize that you are children of God, Greet all that comes your way with joyfulness and you find that your burdens become lighter. You find that you can walk through life with a spring in your step.
Life doesn't require tears. Oh! Certainly tears come, along with grief and anger. Let them go and turn again to me for the promise of life everlasting.

I found a quote:

Helen Keller:
We could never learn to be brave and patient if there were only joy in the world. How would you respond to miss Keller?

I would say that without joy in the world you could never learn to be.brave and patient. How can you pick up your burden? How could you take the next step if you didn't believe that something wonderful was waiting for you. If you only realize you don't have to wait. That joy is all around even in the midst of the most devastating experiences. Look for that joy, hold it in your heart as you look toward the abundant love that is here for you.

Thank you Lord for spending this time with me tonight. I may not always feel the joy. but I feel the comfort your presences provides.

Let that comfort grow. Joy is but a short step away for each of you. Rest easy knowing that a divine plan is at work.

Thanks to Hill Country Gal for turning me on to Del Castillo

Derek Trucks Band - Joyful Noise

Freedom

2009-09-25T07:04:00.002-04:00

Good Morning!

You're up early today. What's the occasion?

I'm just awake. Since I am I thought I would take this opportunity to talk with you. As you know I have been revisiting my church. At least visiting their website and reading the Daily Word an inspirational meditation and prayer site. I want to post those then get your thoughts. The problem is they are copyrighted. I don't know the legalities. But I think if I just use the main meditation it would be ok.

So for today September 25th the message is:

Free
I am free to choose my path in life.
This seems so obvious to me.

Yet you often do not choose your own path. You let circumstance choose for you. In retrospect how many decisions have been made that were dictated by outside events? When have you failed to be proactive?

Sometimes it has just been easier to let events unfold will he-nil he. In fact I use it as a philosophy "go along to get along". That way I don't have to make the tough choices. also procrastination helps put off 'til tomorrow what may not need doing at all. Often that gets me into trouble. Because I truly do not know what is important and what isn't.

This reminds me of the story of Adam and Eve, tempted by the serpent to taste the forbidden fruit. The allegory of the eating of the fruit gave man knowledge of good and evil. Also defined as "original sin" or "the fall of man". Such nonsense. Man supposedly for the first time saw your nakedness and became ashamed. Why? Is nakedness inherently Evil?

I would say no, Though man is the only animal to wear clothing excepts for our pets.
We also come into the world naked then are quickly covered. But I would say this is something we made taboo, not inherently evil. But I am ashamed of my nakedness! That is because my naked body does not fit my ideal of what a naked body should look like. I know its foolish but there it is. I don't even want to go the beach without a shirt because my belly sags and I have man boobs. Also because I burn easily.

As you say though not inherently evil. Free choice does have consequences, getting sunburn as a mld example. Look around and you see that man does not have the knowledge of good and evil that original sin implied. Often you do look beyond the present to see the consequences and seeing that a course of action would be harmful you take action to prevent it. Equally as often you don't see the potential or often even the obvious harm. And in your case specifically you know that not making a choice is making a choice. But as the words to your meditation say you, each of you are free to choose. You are the captain of your journey through life subject of course to the laws of how the universe works.

Free
I am free to choose my path in life.

Prayer - Small action at a Distance

2009-09-17T19:13:00.002-04:00

Good Evening Lord..

Good Evening Michael. Are you ready to begin?

I think so. I’ve been having problems feeling your presence lately. It seems that you are a great distance away. As if I have to make an extra effort to reach you. It also seems I’m having difficulty starting this is the fourth or fifth attempt I have made at starting. Such a simple start, “Good Evening, Lord” I think I’m angry again and that often gets in the way of our conversations.

You have been dwelling on the seeming unfairness of life. Life, death health and sickness are all part of How the Universe Works. Why do these questions come around again to anger you?

I guess its more personal now. I’ve had cancer and that’s fine. I can accept that I brought it on myself by my habits and lifestyle over the last half century. Its different though when it’s a twenty-something who is just barely into adulthood. It doesn’t seem fair.

The universe doesn’t play favorites, Michael. The rules are the rules and will remain unchanged. There is room for uncertainty, however. Uncertainty is built into the system. A certain amount of randomness is present at all times. You may consider uncertainty a fundamental process in the physics of how the universe works. Your scientist have labeled it “chaos theory” as if it were somehow separate from the rest of how the universe works. But uncertainty is integral to every ongoing process. You are aware as a meteorologist the role uncertainty plays in the weather. That same randomness is at play in sports, in who wins the lottery. In who is struck by lightning in who survives a shark attack or in who gets cancer. Let’s consider your “twenty-something” . Its unfortunate that he was exposed to a toxin in his environment for a sufficient amount of time to become susceptible. its unfortunate that he has a genetic predilection for a weakness in his auto-immune system that allowed this toxin to cause an out of control growth (cancer) in his bladder. We use the term “unfortunate” with the understanding that it is the randomness of the universe working, just as we use the term fortunate for one who is the recipient of a positive outcome. When the odds are highly unlikely as in a million to one shot we can use the term “miracle” to describe the likelihood of a certain event happening.

Does prayer change the odds. Does it make one outcome more likely than another? Is prayer one of the variables in how the universe works?

Do you mean can I be swayed by consciousness? That is what prayer is, correct? An attempt to change how the universe works using consciously controlled means? The answer is yes of course. Consciousness is often used to affect physical processes. The wings of an airplane use the rules of aerodynamics to oppose the force of gravity. Energy is channeled in a large variety of ways by your mechanical, electrical and quantum methods. Prayer is another such process. Quantum mechanics has brought to attention the ability of consciousness to affect events at the subatomic level. Events at the subatomic level influence events in the larger world. Does this mean that thinking of an outcome or praying for a particular outcome cause that outcome to occur? No it means that prayer does indeed change the odds of an event happening.

You are telling me that prayer is not a guarantee of anything, in fact prayer can change the outcome in a negative way. Is that true?

Think of prayer’s effect as the small action at a distance that works with other actions to achieve a desired outcome. For example; add prayer to the knowledge and expertise of the medical staff against the virulence of the cancer and it just may be the factor that begins the healing process. All the necessary ingredients were lined up but were evenly balanced against the disease. Prayer changed the odds enough to allow the “miracle” to occur. Faith, hope, doubt, skepticism all play a role as well. One thing more I should say at this point. You have a tendency to work against the effects of prayer by being doubtful of the efficacy of prayer. I have just shown you that prayer works, but not in every case. Often the odds are too well stacked against the desired outcome. But don’t stop praying when it seems hopeless because, prayer can produce miracles.

Expecting death, what to do?

2009-09-11T03:33:00.002-04:00

Good Morning Lord, its very late but we haven't spoken in a while. I don't feel any connection right now. perhaps because I'm brooding. My Step Dad Bernie Johnson. was diagnosed with colon cancer metastasized to the liver. Docs Give him 2 years if he takes chemo and 6 months if he doesn't. Another acquaintance Ed found today that he has bladder mets to the liver, Docs give him 8 months with Chemo 4 months with out.

You are concerned that they will die? Yes?

Concerned is a little mild, I'm angry! Because cancer sucks and there's not a damn thing I can do about except pray. I feel so helpless and here I am supposedly talking to God and I can't ask for you to save their lives.

Why not? you are not afraid to ask me when you are in prayer. Communication is communication regardless of form.

When we are in communication like this I'm afraid to ask. Because I don't have the faith to believe that this actually is a talk with God. I want proof! I'm afraid I won't get the proof I want which is total remission of the cancer in each of these people.

I'm sorry total remission is out of the question. They have other lives waiting for them. So how much more life shall they get; a month? Three months? How long?

You're leaving this to me?

Certainly, I want you to think about what you're asking me to do. You are asking me to prolong their lives, which means prolonging their suffering and their pain? Of course they will be on palliative care filled with painkillers to make the last days bearable but with side effects that may hurt those who will gather to say their goodbyes to one who may or may not recognize them. How much time shall I give them. And what of their caregivers? Must I prolong this ending for another few months and watch the caregivers suffer in their turn, Never knowing but always expecting death each day. Could you take that kind of pain? Would you want to.

I think we will revisit this topic often in the upcoming months and years. Get some sleep.

2009-08-28T22:59:00.000-04:00

Good Morning Lord, I’m reading through some our past conversations and I notice your speeling is atrocious. I would expect better from How the Universe Works.

Certainly, put the blame on my though it is your finger doing the typing. I notice you switched to a word processor with spell check. This should do much to make our work more literate. You seem in good spirits this morning I trust you slept well?

Yes thank you. I didn’t stay up to 2 or 3 am chatting as I have been doing. You know I have obsessive compulsive disorder OCD. I also love writing. I didn’t realize how much until I started these 2 blogs. Night time is also the time I usually spend chatting with you.

Yes, and you are usually half asleep making this collaboration much more difficult than it could be. Even now instead of taking time to find a quiet place you have the television on. Highlander, pretty good movie but distracting isn’t it? Is there something particular on your mind? No? Well then how about if we talk about imagination. In your existence now there are four planes of reality, physical, emotional, spiritual and mental. Together these make up the world you inhabit. Imagination begins as spirit, and becomes an idea, the idea if acted on then manifests physically in your world through hard work and collaboration. This blog is an example as is the movie Highlander, or a work of art, or a building or anything else in your world. The natural world works the same way. It begins as spirit than the idea becomes manifest in the world through me as how the universe works.

Shari, is just now finishing up the Course in Miracles. This will be the third time she has worked through the course yet doesn’t seem to manifest miracles. At least not the miracles she would like. What are your thoughts?

Shari doesn’t realize that she is preparing herself for future endeavors. Her difficulties in this timeframe is that her desires are mixed. She works hard to provide money for the family, the two of you and Cameryn to live. But has a need to create. Her present job is unfulfilling creatively. Once you are employed again Shari will have less stress about your financial future then perhaps she will go back to working with fabric either in quilting or dolls. She has not decided at this time. Her trouble with the Course in Miracles and other channeled literature is she wants these things but is confused about her wants. When she decides then putting her imagination to work along with mine will create that which she calls miracles.

On purpose. A purposeless life

2009-08-25T23:29:00.002-04:00

Hello Michael, Nice of you to come visit tonight. Is there anything in particular on your mind tonight or are we just “winging it”

I have a few things on my mind I got into a position that I knew I couldn’t win but wouldn’t back down from because of pride and anger. I said some things I regret saying and yet I started of the by saying I wouldn’t apologize. I learned not to not think. I also learned leave yourself a graceful exit just in case.

Well if you learned something then the ordeal was not totally wasted was it? Of course you know you left some hurt people behind people who were sympathetic to you, until you started name calling and insulted practically everyone.

Yes I know, I keep talking until its too late than I get angry with the other folks involved instead of just letting it set. Thank you for listening You know I was paying a therapist $75 an hour to listen.

I’m keeping score. You’re ringing up quite a bill you know. But I collect in different ways.

Can we broaden the scope for awhile ? I have a more serious question…I’d like to talk a little about purpose. What is my purpose here at this time? Is there deeper meaning to the events that enfold us or is this just random chance that plays out in our lives either for good or ill.; fortune or misfortune.?

Meaning is a human construct, or better still a construct innate to consciousness. Consciousness uses rationality to create meaning which helps make sense of a random world. Also randomness is often a matter of perspective. What appears random at one level is harmonious at another level of reality. You humans take the random and make meaning. This allows you to maintain some sense of control over events you have little control over. Random events occur constantly in your life. Traffic, weather , emotions, etc. But carrying an umbrella is wise if it looks like rain. Random events are sometimes called acts of god or acts of nature. But you as a former weather forecaster know how what appears random at one level, to those not educated in this science as you were, has an internal consistency that is quite apparent to the well trained. At one time you compared predicting the future to predicting weather in that the more information you had the better your forecast will be. Unfortunately for those in your former profession, you cannot know all the facts to aid your ability .You have also made the comparison of forecasting to art. How you pull a forecast out of a load of extraneous information than has no recognizable pattern.

What is your purpose here at this time? Why of course whatever you make of it. If you see deeper meaning in the events of your life than so be it. There is no time table here for you to accomplish specific goals of my choosing, other than those goals you have set for your selves. Your purpose is your purpose. Whatever that purpose may be it fits quite conveniently into my purpose.

FATHER KNOWS BEST

2009-08-22T02:49:00.007-04:00

Hello Lord, I'm not sure how to ask this question that I believe I already know the answer to, but its important...Cancer, why cancer, Why death at all? This seems the cruelest possible death, involving suffering children, women and men, having families torn apart Why what's the point?

What is the point of laser guided rockets, that kill so as to minimize damage but leave suffering families behind. What is the point of war and lets get this clear war is your invention not mine. Cancer existed in nature long before man arrived on the scene. It found another useful host and moved in. Prior to the 20th century few people lived long enough to be victimized by cancer. people in your stage of development need death to move on to other realms and other possibilities, Death gives you the mechanism to move on. Cancer is fairly new as a killer other diseases brought you down in the past and this was to the good. But human ingenuity and science progressed to put many of the formerly deadly diseases out to pasture. Unfortunately allowing cancer to become among the top killers. You are winning the war againest death. In the not so distant future people will live twice thier allotted lifes spans. Mostly due to proper eating an eliminating the harmful substances you fill your body with now. cmon Twinkies, what were you thinking? Cancer if used correctly gives families an oppotunity to reconnect with loved ones in a shared environment that doesn't have to be one of suffering. instead it could be a positive time an affirmation of love. That is what I would like. Instead I see your old ones pushed into homes and assited "living" communitys of people wating to die in a hoaspital surrounded by stranger and loved ones. Is there aany dignity to this. I created better and in your sympathetic zeal you haven't taken much stock in listening to your seniors. If you only kneew how much collected wisdom there is among your parents angrandeparents generations and yours as well who will be facing these conditions soon as you continue to age. What will your children do with you?
.
Why pain?

Again I will say that much of the pain experienced is a result of trying to keep people alive past their time. if allowed to let go when they are ready such as in a hospice situation where pain management using natural sources of pain relief like opiates, marijuana, and even alcohol and mixtures of these ingredients such as laudanum and morphine ease the passage of the person into a new role beyond death. For example without interference by the medical profession you would likely be on the verge of dying by cancer, correct?

True the docs gave me 5 years as a ballpark figure.But a lot of that time eould be uncomfortable: peeing, blood watching my body grow weaker as the cancer advanced finally facing death,

Which you will inevitably face anyway, In cancer and palliative care you have the abitliy to leave as you choose. surrounded by loved ones at home in a safe environment where family and friends can come to pay last respects. yes some pain is involved but no more than an individual can handle with the use of palliative care. So you see the suffering doesn't have to be terrible. but often your society forces suffering on people, once again those at the bottom of the money chain suffering most, Those with no place to go to die in peace other than a hospital or hospice tucked away from family and friends, find suffering. I believe its inhuman, but part of humanity.

You also realize that you have brought this on yourself, you were warned of the dangers of tobacco at an early age and also the benefits of good nutrition and moderate use of wine, eschewing hard liquor to a great extent. Instead you have chosen to imbibe to unhealthy excess and to eat a diet rich in fat, oils sugar and lacking proper nutritional value, twenty five years of oreos and little debbie cupcakes is hardly a healthy environment for the body to thrive. Does this answer your question?

Very much so, Thank you for your time. My pleasure of course.

"Slip sliding away, the nearer you get to heaven...

2009-08-18T02:49:00.002-04:00

Good evening Michael glad you came back to talk so quickly after our last bit of time together.

I'm afraid that being busy and tired is part of being human. I would honestly like to spend more time with you in this endeavor. I feel like our relationship moves to a higher plain when I talk with you. I can't say you are on my mind all of the time and I seldom feel you as the center of my being like before, but you know you/your presence is never far from mind. I thank you for this.

Actually it is you who has put in the work necessary to achieve this level of communication. I commend you.

I know what you mean by “work” but in an earlier post you indicated that direct communication with you was a more popular way of communication than was a church or other organized religion. So maybe I don't know what you mean by work, Can you explain?

Let me ask you a question what did you think I meant by “the work necessary?”

Well, I originally I thought you were referring to the hours of meditation, churchgoing and prayer that I put in to be closer to you, but on second thought none of that really got me any closer to you or you any closer to me. While I was working toward a spiritual union in that manner it didn't seem to matter when life got rough. You were still just as far away. In retrospect it wasn't simply the stuff I did that brought me closer to you, it was life happening around me that brought you closer to me.

Yes, you have the answer but you want me to explain. I like the way you phrased that : “it was life happening around me that brought you closer to me”. It almost works both ways, hm? It was life happening around us that brought us closer together, Do you remember as a teenager that one moment of clarity where we connected? You were walking to a friends house, the sun came out from behind some clouds and you reached toward me for the first time consciously.

Yes I remember I think I was 17, the beauty of that sky opening up like that was an experience. I do remember reaching out to God. However my Idea of God was much different than it is today.

Sure, that brief experience was not enough to sustain you but it did spark an interest in those items you mentioned earlier, meditation, prayer and church. Although your churchgoing was and is rather spotty.The meditation, eastern thought and experience with the non material entity Seth in the 70's and early 80's opened your mind somewhat to the possibility of God in man, but you didn't accept that until the 90's. Why?

Partly because I hadn't yet formed a working definition of God, I wanted you to be out there somewhere taking care of things and as long as life was going along well I was happy with you out there instead of being essential to my makeup. No real inner realization developed. Then my brother Jay died and for the first time I really became angry with you. I didn't want you to exist at least not as I'd been taught in bible school, church and books. Here's what I remember from those early days “Yes Jesus loves me, Yes Jesus loves me, Yes Jesus loves me, the Bible tells me so”. How can I, not really believing in you, and angry at you at the same time bring you into my life at that point? I couldn't.

Yet you could bring comfort to others during that time immediately after your brother's death. You talked of Jay being better off where he was rather than in the emotional turmoil he experienced in the world around him and the recreational chemicals he used to shut out that part of his life. Those same chemicals that killed him. That was true you know, Jay truly was better off. You also talked of him being available as spirit to those who chose to reach out in spirit and feel his presence. You even believed it and practiced reaching out in spirit, but I still was the target of your anger. Why?

Because he was dead and you may not have killed him but you didn't prevent his death. An all loving all powerful creator should have been able to save him.

But you couldn't either could you?

No I couldn't and that's the part that really hurt.

I'm going to stop here for tonight. Too many tears even 27 years later. I know that later there will be joy but at this point in my life it was all pain, all anger directed mostly at myself though lots leftover for God.

God and Religion

2009-07-27T20:47:00.001-04:00

I would like to explore a little bit your relationship to organized religion. If you are available to anyone at anytime why do organized religions exist, why do we need them?

Several reasons. Early man did indeed commune directly with me, over the ages this has truly been the preferred method of of communication. One to One. Man to God and God to Man. Co-equals sharing view points. Even today more people commune directly with me than through the intermediary of organized religion. Most are like you in that they profess allegiance to one particular viewpoint (In your case Christianity), but have questions about what they have been told. Like you they may use the religious organization as more of a social rather than spiritual function. A way of bringing people of common belief together to worship in an atmosphere of secure, mutual support. Also, early on man recognized the political potential of a large group of like minded individuals to effect change in the secular world. Often this was beneficial as in those instances when religion organized to solve social problems. Unfortunately as often religious leaders fostered an us against them mentality. In effect saying that one set of beliefs or one way of worship was correct. You can think of your own examples. Another factor in the growth of organized religion through the ages has been the growth of human population and civilization. Your species has been incredibly successful at multiplying and gaining dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air and all the living things that move on the earth. When there were relatively few of you, it was much easier for any one of you to find the space and the solitude to seek out the “small, still voice, your connection to How The Universe Works. Eventually that voice was drowned out by the hustle of city life and with the voices of moralistic, strident priests who claimed to speak for me.

But weren't you involved with the priests as much as with ordinary citizens?

With many of them I was involved. But often these men and women would seek out my guidance and find what they were seeking. Sometimes though seeking the “still small voice” while given lip service as admirable was in actuality treated with scorn and skepticism by their superiors, causing doubt in their own abilities to receive personal guidance. Also talking to God was often claimed to be a sign of mental illness and truthfully often it was. The mentally ill have access to me as does anyone else. Though in some cases the answers received were in conflict with their own beliefs, values and expectations leading to further confusion and frustration and acting out this frustration in sometimes violent ways.

And this was true for laymen as well as priests alike?

Sure, ordinary people had long been discouraged from seeking answers outside the bounds of their own established religions where only the priests and elders of the church had access to God's word. This is beginning to turn somewhat in some parts of the world but unfortunately some societies, those often run by some form of fundamentalism, continue to repress people.

What is your relationship to organized religion today.

Most of the religious leaders today as in years past are sincere and forthright people who honestly seek a better understanding of my relationship to the world and how to relate that understanding to their adherents and to genuinely effect spiritual growth among those adherents. In Judeo -Christian traditions these efforts have been stymied by an erroneous understanding of my relationship to the Universe. Too often the definition of God includes a separation between the Creator and the created when in fact no separation exists.

I had expected you to be harder on some of the religious leaders of today.

That's more your axe to grind than mine. We'll continue soon?

Certainly.

Aspects

2009-07-23T12:30:00.003-04:00

Good morning Lord.

I almost asked how you were today. But I already know the answer, Your perfect of course, like a sunset is perfect ever changing but ever present.
Yep, you got it. How are you this morning; perfect too I trust?

I am feeling good this morning, I know that I'm perfect in the same way you are, ever changing and fine just the way I am. But as a somewhat frail human I find that my frailties often affect how I feel about myself in any given moment. I assume you don't have that problem. Is that correct?

Let me repeat myself you and I are one, What you feel and every other living creature feels I feel. And I can empathize with your state of being at this moment but you are not the center of my Universe. I care but these are things you can and must deal with. You understand?

Yes I get it. Its my life, not yours. Similar to how I can empathize with my children and be here to share their problems I cannot live their lives for them.

Exactly right, love, share, help when you can but ultimately it is their life to live.

Thanks. Could we talk a little bit about you and your character, I understand that you are how the universe works. But could I have a little deeper insight.

I am that I am. I express myself in everything that occurs everyhere in the Universe. I am the yin and the yang, the Alpha and the Omega. I am that I am.

Stop please, I get it enough of these trite overused phrases. I expect a little more from God.

Do you really? Then why do you so often think of me in these trite phases without really thinking about what that really means. To answer to your unasked question it really that simple, yet each one of you will manifest me to fit your beliefs, values and expectations and experience. An atheist will not look to me for companionship, or guidance or help, where a theist would look to me. Thus Any personality I have is a reflection of the person any of you want me to be: thus by turn I am a vengeful god, a wrathful god. a god slow to forgive, a punishing god, A loving god, a caring god, a shepherd through the dark times a small still voice. A laughing Jesus, and A savior. I am all things to all people and you get to decide, Because all of these aspects and an infinite number more are all equally true and equally false depending on the point of view of each individual. I have created you free to believe what you will about me. I epitomize opposites, the alpha, the omega, the yin and the yang. Capice?

On Creativity

2009-07-22T17:01:00.002-04:00

Lord, could you talk a little about this process you and I engaged in? From my perspective I seem to sense the words and then just write them. Sometimes it goes very smoothly and other times It feels like everything going on is a distraction even if I'm doing this late at night, alone. How does this work?.

You know that any creative endeavor is a collaboration between I and thou. Jesus said that “I and my Father are one.” speaking of his relationship to How The Universe Works. This is true for all of you. All that you are I am, Though the reverse is not exactly true “yet” Where does inspiration come from?

I believe the best answer to that question is that it comes From How The Universe Works. The search for How the Universe works while most apparent in the activities of Physicists, Biologists and other scientists is not limited to them alone. Artists of all kinds attempt to depict what they see of How the Universe Works, painters, poets writers, singers, actors, engineers, craftsmen of all kinds, homemakers and yes even businessmen are involved in a creative process with How the Universe works simply by being part of How it does work. You are elemental in the process, so you are involved because you are are also How the Universe works. Sorry for the digression, I didn't answer the question you asked. All of creation is able to commune with me. For most animal life the communion is at an unconscious level and that applies to humans as well, But humans(and some others) can occasionally bring that unconscious communication forward to the conscious mind. Would you like to stop here or pick this up later this evening.

I think I will post now and perhaps pick up again later tonight or work on the other blog.

Very well.

First, take nothing seriously

2009-07-21T02:14:00.003-04:00

Hello I am the god of Mike's understanding. He has asked me to provide an introduction to his blog. In this endeavor you will find a dialog between Mike and myself. This dialog will be centered around Michael's relationship to How The Universe Works. I am of course How The Universe Works. Because of the nature of our relationship the material at times may be intensely personal. He is and has been what for him has been a traumatic experience. His anger is occasionally intense and often directed at How The Universe Works. Often the material here will seem trivial to any readers who may happen upon this blog. That's okay often other peoples problems may seem trivial to those of you who are experiencing your own difficulties with How The Universe Works. But perhaps you may find the answer you are looking for in Michael's and my dialog. Thank You.

Thank you Abba, I think I should say something about why I'm doing this. One, I hope to profit from an open and frank discussion of spirituality, religion and the nature of the universe around me. Originally I had planned this as a book similar to Walsch's Conversation With God. But I don't really cover any new ground in this book and I encourage all readers of this blog to check out Mr Walsch's writings. Another author who has inspired me for yeasr is the late Jane Roberts author of numerous books on alternate reality, ESP, and numerous other topics; but for me the Nature of Personality written by a non corporeal being called Seth and channeled through Jane Roberts. I believe this to be a very profound book and of immense influence to me. Okay, Time for the first Question: I'll start off easy but I rarely know where these will end up.

Father tonight I want to begin at the beginning, the controversy between creationists and the more secular advocates of evolution. Who is right?

Certainly, “In the beginning when I created the the heavens an the earth, the earth was a formless wasteland, and darkness covered the abyss, while a mighty wind swept over the waters. Then I said' LET THERE BE LIGHT and there was light'”.

Well thanks for clearing that up. Would you mind leaving biblical quotes to a minimum please. Of course these words are from Genesis book 1, where most of the controversy occurs. Biblical literalists take these words as absolute truth, So called scientific creationists attempt to reconcile Genesis with existing scientific evidence, And others, secularists , scientist and atheists ignore them completely. How does a person such as myself neither well versed in biblical studies nor a scientist sort this out to arrive at truth?

It is good to ask these questions and the answers are fairly simple. My words at the beginning of Genesis are indeed literally true. Of course there wasn't anyone around to record these words except me and I was busy creating. So though the words are literally true they fail to capture the whole story of creation. Briefly the controversy hinges on a human definition of time. I am not limited by time. Scientists insist on billion of years and literalists say I did it in a few short days. Neither is correct. I create the universe Now, in this instant. For evolutionists I ask “predict for me the next evolutionary form in any species you wish. Can you do it? What will the next evolutionary leap dogs take, how about grasshoppers. Its fairly easy to finds bones and fossils and compare characteristics and then find classifications to place them in but can your theory predict the next evolutionary step. I don't think so. For you biblical literalists I pose the question. Is there no such thing as evolution? Consider the reproduction of music. Years ago wax cylinders were used to record and recreate sound, then along came new technology such as cassette tape and then CD's now there are tiny devices that can hold thousands of songs and reproduce them exactly as recorded many time and years later with no loss of quality This is evolution in action. creation is going on all around please look and you can see me in action. Evolution can be applied to almost any human endeavor. Fashion, electronics, weapons, warfare, entertainment, cooking, construction, and perhaps especially communication and information .Every thing new builds upon the old. You don't do things the same way that your grandparents did Why not? Because evolution has changed the way your culture works. But still it cannot predict the next step.

I remember when I was very young I saw Dick Tracy's wrist radios. And I though that some day we would have them and that would be so cool. I've changed my mind. We have cell phones today just slightly bigger that Dick's wrist radio but with even more capability. And I'm sure if Sony or Apple wanted to make a wrist radio we would have it with in a year. Anyway thank you. You have given me a lot to think on, but I don,t think either side of this controversy will be pleased with your arguments.

Remember, that very few if any will read these words. I don't think you have to worry about people burning crosses on your lawn in the near future. Good night Mike, get some rest. I look forward to continuing this dialog and invite any readers out there who may have a question to email you,