What is the Interaction of Divinity and You?

Image by Lucas Janin via Flickr

From Denny: There is much ado on the spiritual front these days be it from the traditional mainstream Christianity to New Age exploration of less titled and neatly labeled areas of spirituality.

In the end, whether discussing God from a Personal Perspective of male or female gender like Father God and Mother Holy Spirit or illumination of the impersonal spiritual principles we come to the same questions as in this simple quote that packs quite a punch, demanding action from us.

Quote

"We are Divine enough to ask. Are we Divine enough to receive?" - Wayne Dyer


God, Wayne Dyer, Religion, Evangelism, Christianity, Opposing Views, Religion and Spirituality, New Age, quotes, God quotes, society and culture

What Do You Do to Reach Enlightenment and Then Afterward?

Supreme Court Chief Justice Frederick Vinson Image via Wikipedia

Alonzo E. Lyon in about 1905 at age 25. He did not become my grandfather until age 80.

From Denny: I've always liked this quote. What's interesting is that my Christian Grand Dad from Kentucky, who had never heard of Zen, taught me the same concept through his wisdom AND his attitude AND his actions - something completely lost on his own son and other grandchildren, even arrogantly dismissed and ignored.

I was the only kid who liked to literally sit at his feet and listen to his tales of his youth, his farming and other business adventures and finally the wisdom of what he had learned in this life. He was one of those rare individuals who read the Bible literally every day as he found great Joy in doing so - yet he never was a finger-in-your-face kind of man. Grand Dad really understood the true messages from Jesus, unlike so many of his time period.

As I was doing some family genealogy I found out many things about my grandfather he never publicized. During his time he felt God blessed him with wealth and, therefore, it was his job to be responsible with that wealth and do a lot in the community. He didn't do that on a flashy basis with his name on a million buildings and show off at public events. He did it one person at a time - just like Jesus.

Basically, he functioned in the office of Apostle as he helped so many people from so many walks of life when they experienced hard times. Then those people went out and passed it forward to help others too.

He was a childhood best friend of a Supreme Court Chief Justice (Vinson) who was deciding about civil rights and segregation. That Justice used to come home to Kentucky and go fishing with Grand Dad (Alonzo Lyon). I know my grandfather; he would not let any moment pass to press for the civil rights of African-Americans. He was horrified and disgusted at the treatment of returning WWII black veterans.

Grand Dad also pressed for women's rights as he considered women " the best of mankind." What a unique attitude for his time! He was the parent - and the inspiration - my father never chose to be. Grand Dad often called him down on his bad attitude, especially toward women, "there was no call for that, not even with children."

Women loved his company. Children flocked to him as I often strolled with him around the neighborhood every summer to share him with the other kids who had grandparents who were indifferent to children. Every summer he was like the local celebrity!

Well into his late 80's he made friends with the local five-year-olds. When questioned about that practice he would reply, "I've outlived my wife, my friends and most of my family including my twin. Besides, you make friends with every generation." With a huge knowing smile and a wink in his eye, "It won't be that long before this little boy will be a young man and we can go fishing together!" He definitely was "a fisher of men."

Quote

"Before enlightenment - chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment - chop wood, carry water." ~ Zen Buddhist Proverb

How Does Unhappiness Happen? One Answer.

From Denny: Now here is something revolutionary for those who are just beginning the path of self-development. It really does explain the role of family and national culture and how it can affect our happiness quotient!



“There is only one cause of unhappiness: the false beliefs you have in your head, beliefs so widespread, so commonly held, that it never occurs to you to question them.” — Anthony de Mello

How Beauty, Love and Action Interact

Image by Always Be CoOL via Flickr

From Denny: The famous Persian poet, Rumi, was a nobleman and great scholar of the 13th century. He met a wandering famous spiritual teacher named Shams who mentored Rumi about mysticism. Rumi was clearly transformed by the intense relationship. His poetry reflects the inner journey of discovery and reunion with God that, like any true mystic, transcends specific religion.

Peonies, like those in the photo and Rumi's inspiration from his poems, are complex flowers of many interlocking petals, yet unfurl into something incredibly beautiful! A European friend once paid me the greatest compliment to compare me to a peony and it has remained her nickname for me ever since...

“Let the beauty that you love be what you do.” - Rumi

Clean vs. God

Photo by SMN @ flickr

"Cleanliness becomes more important when godliness is unlikely."
- P. J. O'Rourke

Understanding God's Ways...

"Never think that God's delays are God's denials. Hold on; hold fast; hold out. Patience is genius." - Comte de Buffon, French mathematician and naturalist.

Photo by muha... @ flickr

Have courage!

"Have courage for the great sorrows of life and patience for the small ones; and when you have laboriously accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in peace. God is awake."

- Victor Hugo


Photo by LadyAmada@ flickr