Theos-Talk Archives (April 1994 Message tl00002)

This is by Brenda.

In answer to the question posed by Nancy for Paddy in Australia: I
don't mind referring back to my own experience with a university
course in World Religions.  This course became a real stumbling block
to me because what we were doing was more like a ceremonial activity.
Every semester (or so) this class takes place, sometimes with
different reading material, but always with the intent to cover what
its name suggests.  Covering written material, and lots of it, in
order to expand our thinking along unknown subject areas is usually
what a course of this type accomplishes.  But say someone isn't
interested in "thinking" or "accumulating" facts.

The real religious experience was provided to me in two ways: 1) in
black and white - the written word and 2) in a "winding" picture of
ascent.  When you envision the masters, you see the work that is cut
out for you, the changes that have to be made in yourself, and
hopefully as well you find others who have the same "goal" at the
heart of their living.

In my mind you are missing several things in the classroom that are
necessary for the "miracle" of God providing the way.  1) There is no
lifelong fellowship.  The class is over in a few months and very few
expect to continue a fruitful, awareness-building relationship with a
classmate, let alone the teacher.  2) The love that I knew as a
child, the protection, nourishment, and sensitivity to the whole
person that one is becoming, is a very hard thing to replace.  I
don't know how it can be replaced at college or in the workplace
unless you are provided with extraordinary circumstances in a
singular manner.  I do believe that God provides for everyone,
meaning that there are opportunities for you to find that love which
you once knew as a child in your adult life, but they are distinctly
individual, and therefore this miracle of a religious experience, a
lifelong commitment, can be found anywhere for God is everywhere.

My husband wrote recently on cycles and he has also helped me to
think through my own beliefs.  I believe that the doctrine of cycles
is sometimes grossly misleading.  You can't simply describe and
represent an idea and expect it to become a major force in your life.

My favorite talk on cycles was given by Marilyn Ferguson at the
National Headquarters in Wheaton when I was on staff there.  Marilyn
was speaking on dissipative structures.  Here was scientific evidence
of life forms which were "death tending" and running out of energy.
This is the one place that cycles really made sense.  I mean what is
the alternative? Were cycles of birth and death a myth? If energy is
depletable in the cell at certain stages of its existence, what is
the message we receive? Is it that all life is winding down towards
death?

The other point more important in my mind than something that can be
described as cyclical because it has a beginning and an end is in
fact somewhat ridiculous.  Cycles in life are not black and white.
I've gone through many phases in my religious development, but I
can't just defend it as a cycle because it had a beginning and an
end.  The only real use I see for cycles is in dreaming about the
stars and planets.  I mean this is where they are really beautifully
plain.  If I wished to jump off of one planet and travel to another I
might wait until the planets are within their closest range to one
another.  Conservation of energy, right? Well, life isn't timed as
plainly, but there are karmic moments when the time is ripe for
"reaping" or for "sowing." I don't see much point in doing both at
the same time.  When you're really ready to work and get yourself
geared up to create or put forth your creative energy in serving
mankind, this is not an especially good time to be rewarded with all
sorts of pleasant awards, recognitions, and thank yous.  Those
periods when we reap our karmic effects may as well be postponed till
we need them.  Everything is good as we are productive.  Well, when
we really need it because of an unproductive or lull in our
accomplishment, hopefully this is where our hard work will pay off.

So cycles don't mean much without karma and reincarnation and those
two words probably are worn out enough in our thinking.  Cycles are a
blind for greater truths and should be discussed with wisdom and
insight.

Love to all beings.