I've experienced the inexplicable & inexpressible beauty
& serenity of the "The Great White Light". Observed my
physical body from above & beyond. Once threatened, facing
death, felt only compassion, protection & indescribable peace.
Observed golden "flakes" sparkling downward from the heavens.
While alone felt my face stroked & "a voice." For hours occasion
a oneness & flow with all things & incredible bliss ... such experiences & others initiated in a normal/unaltered state.

It would seem reasonable that I believe in the divine. Yet, I often feel agnostic.
Why? No matter what religious, philosophical perspective explored, none justifies what seems
unnecessary suffering. In nature this is a special dilemma.

Whereas man has ability to alleviate his own & others suffering, etc., animals do not.
Evolutionary evolvement over millions of years seems cruel ... Even the explanations of the great religions seem inadequate & incomplete ... while mankind continues fragmented & adrift ...
yet I cannot deny my wondrous experiences or give in to cynicism.

Above all, I am driven by self-honesty & purification of motive, which I believe the key
to truth. Intellectually/culturally I am limited, yet my heart, though broken & longing, seems
to know more ... Perhaps ones noblest potential requires facing a world of chaos, uncertainty, even hopelessness to distill the essence of soul ... or "goodness for its own sake". It is hard to imagine anything more productive, self-purifying or unifying ... while the worth of such self-affirming motives
& qualities need no substantiation from logic, the divine or otherwise.

Gradually, as all is inevitably stripped from us, even "life" itself, it would seem the most
purifying, enduring, fulfilling & worthwhile of endeavors.

-bk

Some original thoughts: To help solve problems personally, locally & world - wide
one must try to understand the nature of truth:

The more inflexible the adherence to absolute truth the greater the inherent contradictions,
exclusion & tendency towards counter productive results. Recognizing & practicing "the diversity of truth" is wisdom in blossom. Compromising all the "diverse truths" & constantly counter-correcting the "over-all truth" is realized dynamically in nature as a constantly adjusting balancing, tolerant, har-
mony. The practice of overall truth is not optional, but a necessity. The greater non - appliance the more disharmony & potential for destruction. It is important to recognize "truth" can & does change with time ... so when one states a truth in reference to a period it may no longer be as true pre-
sently. The greatest "over-all" truth or equilibrium, is achieved by the compromise of all components
in accordance with the degree of truth contained within each components "truth". Since balance & tolerance is critical to the sustainability & welfare of all, non-adherence, ignorance & abuses etc.
of these practical truths bear considerable negative consequences. There is simply no way around
the integral application of these principles without eventual strife & suffering ... cheat
"the system" & you cheat yourself at greater net loss.

It's simple, complex & contradictory all at once . . . & yet it works.

Supported by the biography: Beautiful Mind, & Nobel awarded: Efficiency of Economy.

-bk

Many find security and order by adopting religious beliefs, others long for or wonder,
while some succumb to cynicism. Yet few realize the more one integrates with their higher-nature
the less relevant such concerns, for when elevating into the greater-self one naturally evokes or creates the divine ... Relevant religious and philosophical principles thereby merging and experienced
as a continuum and whole, qualifications transcended.

Might it not be possible if God does indeed exist we often unknowingly see or portray
"him" as ourselves ... too small? Can we presume to be able pass on such a comprehensive nature through mere words let alone understand? Would there not be a finer more inclusive sense capable
of reaching beyond our mental limits and human vulnerabilities?

Regardless, with due respect for all the possibilities what would seem most crucial is not the
belief in or existence of God but the belief in good - Not the promise of heaven but its manifest-
ation - Not the securance of salvation but the greater good.

Could it be rather than our higher-natures being reflective of God,
God is a reflection of our higher-natures?

Given the possibility of such potentials wouldn't it wise not to depend upon the existence
of the divine nor assume its reflection or equivalent doesn't already exist within, but rise above perceived differences and complexities and assure its presence by evoking or creating it outwardly
here and now through the most sensitive of preceptors: The heart.

Affirmation: Seek and you shall find, for heavens at hand ... within.
- The truth written in the heart ... to free.

Footnote: The nature of my philosophy is to remain open to all possibilities, place truth
above all else in order to grow, yet I see little difference between man's higher-nature and God, nor even the requirement of such an entity, or for that matter one of evil, which for the most part I attributed to ignorance, i.e. Would God have the character attributed to an ego such as to requiring homage or damnation regardless of motive. Are these not the traits of men rather than God?

Is not the content more important than the package, the essence rather then the presentation?

This view has nothing to do with arrogance on my part but of purification of motive
and deep longing for the greatest good, for if such aspirations exist in myself they surely exist in others and most certainly in God.

If I'm right it does not really matter nor if I'm wrong, the point being it's the essence of such qualities that is of most importance and worthiest of emulation.

- Might such a perspective more naturally attract and manifest such qualities?

-bk

* Removing the mental clutter, impediments and burden of the ego, etc. to "connect"
and manifest greater inner and outer harmony.

We often ask God or universe for something, yet with our prayers in the process mentally
fill the "space" with thought, desire, images or otherwise rather than naturally allowing "God" in. Even the leanest of meditations recommend some focal point be used. If there indeed be a God, the divine or worthy something why not just empty our heads and implicitly invite it in ... to
fill the space ... which is probably where "it" otherwise would naturally be anyway.
- Not according to our terms or expectations, but just as it is and will.

I have found by using such an approach upon clearing and opening myself I soon experience
a gentle serenity, then a non-attached harmonious connectedness in which all things seem in perspective often followed by a "peace that passes all understanding".

Being sure to exclude the ego I may creatively enhance this state by seeing myself
physically, mentally and otherwise as my optimal greater-self in comprehensive harmony.

Such a state even when un-enhanced can lead to a soothing healing energy massage
- like inner "movement" ... physical yet non-physical (very pleasant and consoling) then luminosity throughout ... Something you don't feel, but do ... yet just as real ... As though having another
sense, another body layered etherally within ... something you don't see, but do ... As though
having another eye that truley sees ... with the ability to experience a wholeness and
satisfaction in which nothing more is desired and all is complete.

If there was or is a Garden of Eden perhaps such is akin to the continous
state which truly makes it real.

Regardless, I've discovered such an approach evokes practical as well as tangible
improvement in well-being and relationships which carry over significantly into day to day
living. I've also found such a state more sustainable if inserted when ever possible into
ones normal daily routine.

Could this be a simplier more direct and natural way to connect with God,
"universality" or our higher-natures while improving well-being?

-bk

I do not invite a revisit of the past, but an opportunity to share the future ...
a-fresh, based upon the most progressive perspective & attitude available at a given moment - bk.

... a letter of reconciliation  - bk

Do not think I don't empathize.

I think empathy is an important lesson we must all learn, which is easy to forget over time
& over-react in the chaos of day to day to dealings & moods of which we are all susceptible to. It is so easy for all of us to lose our perspective & place pride & above the far more important lesson of learning how to create harmonious relationships. For when we can begin to rise above ourselves on a personal level then we can begin to locally & internationally as well ...There is much we may not be aware of or willing to consider at a given moment therefore it is essential to keep an open mind ... & forgive in order to start over again, & again if necessary until we get it right.

-bk

If inclined to look at me as a personal example ...

There have been & likely will continue to be inconsistencies though my words be
sincere & from the heart. Therefore forgive me as I forgive, now & in the future.
Thereby relinquishing pre-mature or un-realistic expectations
that we may continue to grow together
... in ever greater compassion. ~ bk

-bk

I have some older buildings. Some seeing their weathered rusticity view them
as shacks, others as quaint, but I know otherwise - knowing what has gone into them
& what they have been through.

It occurred to me that people are much that way as they grow older: The lines in their faces
from what they've endured  -  The bend in their backs from the pain & the burden from what
they have born.  -  The light within having grown a character more beautiful & luminous
than the former outward glow of youth.

Perhaps like those old buildings & people by looking more to & from the heart we could enrich our
lives & better see & understand the real value, nature & purpose of all things.

-bk

... each stage of life has its compensations, even old age.

As a society we tend to view advanced age negatively. Youth, especially in its prime is
idealized, yet in mid-life we tend to look upon youthful foolishness & the senility of old age with equal condescension. When oldsters act oddly or in an aggravated manner due to loss of mobility or "warehousing" etc we give them drugs with debilitating side effects repressing their immune systems, often encouraged by myopic profit oriented "health" providers, thereby short-circuiting
the beneficial aspects of the natural aging & dying process.

My father has long been diagnosed with Alzheimer's, a label which immediately categorized
him as having anti-social characteristics. Yet I have always viewed him as "just old" & under-
standably prone to moods of frustration. Yet when I talk to him not at him & really with him I can have intelligent & stimulating conversations on the deepest mutually rewarding levels. Doctors
have expressed their amazement as to how well he has done without drugs & caretakers
confided how others had degenerated.

Past cultures were far more intuitive & inclusive ... the age-ed honored & their occasional
strangeness seen as naturally re-connecting/orientating prior to "passing-over." A more enlightened approach could provide the last of life stages to be the greatest: Of growth, insight,
& wisdom ... "the flowering of the soul".

Therefore take comfort & wisdom regarding your age-ed loved ones & your own demise,
while allowing & nurturing ... "The Best for Last".

-bk

From the Harbors of Light Collection by Brad Kalita.