Belief vs. Experience

“A man is accepted into a church for what he believes and he is turned out for what he knows.” – Samuel Clemens

Is there an amicable meeting ground between one person’s religious beliefs and another’s spiritual experiences? Or are these worlds and the people who inhabit them just too different, too much in conflict? I know this is a tall order, but I would like to explore that a bit here. Now right off I want to make it clear, this is not going to do an anti-religion diatribe here. That wouldn’t be fair, because it’s too easy, offering the target rich environment that they do. Obviously, that doesn’t mean I won’t take religion to task. No, I am trying to communicate what I think I might understand here. Ha, isn’t that how it always is? We think we know more that we do, but then we probably know more than we realize. Is that a paradox? Is that what I’m diving into? And maybe the questions I ask here are some evidence of a paradox in operation?

Anyway, here is my personal conundrum. Every once in a while I get asked about the religion I practice. Actually, and I want to state this emphatically, I do not practice any religion, any philosophy, or any belief system, at all. Does that make me an atheist, or a malcontent? Of course not. I just don’t adhere to the doctrine and dogma fed to the masses via the ‘recognized religions’ of the world. I know there are much larger forces and beings at work in the Cosmos than little ol’ me. Then the next question comes, but what about the spirituality that you sometimes talk about? My answer usually doesn’t soothe them, because it falls outside the normal parameters of religious belief. I answer that I base my spirituality on my own personal experiences. Uh, oh. Most just nod politely, not quite knowing how to take that. A few, I wish I could see their thought bubbles, because I’m sure they are priceless. A small percentage do engage with me beyond that, but don’t usually follow me too far. Such nonsense seems to be beyond the horizon of many. But I am not perturbed, insulted, or even concerned with all of that. It is the norm and I accept that. However, over the years I have seen more movement in my direction in this, so I am hopeful.

To tell you the truth, I have no issue whatsoever with the people who place their faith and belief in any religion. If it is what they want or need, and it does what they believe, then more power to them. Likewise, I would just like a little common courtesy back to me on my personal choices. Actually, the main issue I have is with the structure and control apparatus that has guided us to this point, after centuries of abuse, misuse, and manipulation by so-called ‘organized religion.’

You see, I believe, I think, I feel; no actually, I know, that it is possible to experience and know first-hand the spiritual truths that many of us ask about and seek all the time. The truths that the church tells us we cannot know, but only can rely on with our faith. How sad, that this big order of organized religion has lied to its people for all these centuries. And yes, that is the heart of this issue. That there is a way to find these spiritual truths for ourselves, through coherent first-hand experiences. But yes, the shepherds want to keep their flocks as they are, sheep. Or else they lose their power and control over us, and their reason to exist. For what would happen to religion if people could become the shepherds of their own souls, spirits, beings? Who knows, but I do know there are people leaving religion every day, because they feel something is up. Yes, I think it could be ….

‘How did I get here?’ some have asked me. In the beginning, it was through no direct device of my own making. As I have written about a little (see previous entries) (and I will elaborate more about this in the future), these certain types of experiences starting happening to me. And to make a very long story short (one more than 50 years running) I took some direct action to figure out what was going on with me. After a fair amount of searching, I found a teacher and a series of inner, active meditative techniques that facilitated a progression of spiritual experiences that have been going on in my life for about forty years now.

I do not feel I am special in this regard. In fact, anyone who does what I have been doing, could in all probability accomplish this. Of course, the deal is, not everyone or just anyone wants to do that. I know other people who do this, and also other similar programs, and they have these types of similar experiences too. So yes, this type of activity is actually more common than the common populace knows about.

However, there is another very involved step in this process; beyond faith, belief, and experience. Comprehension. Comprehension of these experiences. This is where many of us trip up. I know, because in my own inner exploratory history, I have done it, several times in fact. And I have seen a whole host of others fall into that trap. But this is also the real intriguing part, the critical thinking side to spiritual experience, the part that could offer the most treasure. The treasure of truly understanding yourself, knowing yourself, and grokking (really comprehending) what and where your place is in this grand architecture of creation. For me, there is so much freedom in the doing of this, that it is well worth all the hard work (yes, it is not easy).

Now, this may all sound pretty heady and way out there by now, and appear to be a process that just serves to grow our egos way out of shape. But as I describe all this, which I may be doing a poor job of, I have found the opposite to be true. This actually is a very, very humbling path, journey, and process to undertake and be so involved with. That doesn’t mean a sense of ego doesn’t become a part of it all. But that is really an individual thing. For me, I feel you need a strong ego just to put up with and survive all this world throws at you. However, where some of us get in trouble, is when we grow big egos. My take on it; grow a strong ego not a big one. Be strong within yourself, but not a bully to others. Strong and polite, bottom line.

So in the end (I doubt there is a real end), where does this all really lead us? Why all this inner seeking and searching, experiencing and comprehending? …

Growth, spiritual growth. For isn’t Life just one big School? Seem too simple? The words may be, but the doing of it … far from it. It seems (to me) as spiritual beings that we are in our infancy, or actually maybe still in the womb. Wouldn’t you like to grow up a bit, be more tomorrow than you are today? Be more in your next lifetime than this one? Be the captain of your own Spirit? Own Soul? Own Being? Doesn’t that sound like an exciting adventure to be on? Yes, for me, adventures are the way to go.

And yes, I feel that there is beauty and truths in all religions of the world. And that there is plenty for people to learn and grow there. However, once it is required to narrowly believe in some savior, icon, master, guru, whatever, etc. as the end all to be all … that does not feel at all right to me. But I know why it’s there. People feel vulnerable, weak, lost, and … afraid, mainly because they know some day that their physical lives will end. Their physical mortality stares squarely at them, as the clock ticks on and on, and they grow older day by day. And they need something, and someone to believe in. Someone they feel who has escaped death.

Yes, the fear of death is a great motivator. We all want to live on. In fact, the idea of us not existing somehow somewhere is quite frightening. And the fact that religions use this hook to rein people in, to seal the deal, if you will, galls me to no end. For in all reality, it is totally unnecessary. And negatively opportunistic at such a vulnerable time. For many people find religion in their later years, when the revolving hands of their mortal clock near that last revolution. Shame on you, religion, for taking such an advantage. Of course, I know too that younger people find religion, some who have near scrapes with death and others who are just curious. That just is what it is, and I have probably already said enough about it all.

In conclusion, I just want to offer this food for thought. I have encountered, spoken to, and read about, quite a number of people who believe they are here in this world for a higher purpose than just the normal events of their daily lives. I too have felt that way. What if that higher purpose was this very thing I am writing about right here? That we are simply here to take ownership of own personal spiritual growth, and in the process make this a better world to inhabit, and when we end our stay here we exist and live in a higher part of our being, a higher place in creation than before. A higher place where we have earned the right to be. Because I can tell you, from personal experience, there are several much better, much higher places to be, live, grow in, and be happy in … Happy Journey!