totse.com | Stephen Gaskin on God

ArmsMerchant · #1 2007-04-07, 20:27

We are as one on this issue, but he puts it better than I can, so here goes:

"One of the most difficult things to do is to recognize the existence of God as the totality of the Universe.

"Some people think I'm trying to do away with God when I'm not into the curly-bearded man in the white suit. But I feel like that's a very limiting idea of God. If there is anything that God is, it is not limited. . . .

"Everything you do is right here in front of God and everybody. There isn't anywhere you can go. God is also out behind the barn, and in your deepest heart of hearts. God is not only every grain of sand and every massive star, but every plane and level of existence, material or immaterial, thought of or as yet unthought-of: every level of vibration; every realm of possibility--is all God.

"Even in the back of your mind, where you sometimes think uncharitable things about people because you don't think anybody is listening--is God, sitting there listening. . . .

"You want to find God? Spend just a couple of seconds. Look around inside your head for God. Just look around inside your head for God. Can you find him? You having trouble finding him? Who is looking?

"That's who is looking."

Hare_Geist · #2 2007-04-07, 20:56

I find the statement "God is the totality of the universe" peculiar since my definition of "universe" is the totality of everything, so you're basically saying A is A, a trivial tautology, but trying to make it sound as if you're saying B is A by unnecessarily giving A two names.

Now if you want to argue that this totality has some grand, unifying consciousness that watches and guides everything, by all means do. Because as it is, this thread is dull.

AngryFemme · #3 2007-04-07, 21:22

God has been redefined so much, has worn so many hats, and means so many different things to so many different people ....

The only fair definition I can give of God is that 'He' is the granddaddy of all memes, second to no other, setting the standard for fitness and fecundity. The ability of God to morph into whatever definition someone could possibly dream up is both amazing and predictable, all at the same time.

redzed · #4 2007-04-07, 21:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArmsMerchant View Post

We are as one on this issue, but he puts it better than I can, so here goes:

"One of the most difficult things to do is to recognize the existence of God as the totality of the Universe.

"Some people think I'm trying to do away with God when I'm not into the curly-bearded man in the white suit. But I feel like that's a very limiting idea of God. If there is anything that God is, it is not limited. . . .

"Everything you do is right here in front of God and everybody. There isn't anywhere you can go. God is also out behind the barn, and in your deepest heart of hearts. God is not only every grain of sand and every massive star, but every plane and level of existence, material or immaterial, thought of or as yet unthought-of: every level of vibration; every realm of possibility--is all God.

"Even in the back of your mind, where you sometimes think uncharitable things about people because you don't think anybody is listening--is God, sitting there listening. . . .

"You want to find God? Spend just a couple of seconds. Look around inside your head for God. Just look around inside your head for God. Can you find him? You having trouble finding him? Who is looking?

"That's who is looking."

Frankly I find the idea of a 'God' looking over my shoulder all the time a bit of a bother, but I do see your point about who is looking, however this state of awareness is not necessarily a 'God' in the classic sense or in the pantheistic sense in which you are using it. By that I mean when you refer to the "totality of the universe" that is a nonsense to me as the universe appears to be infinite and how does one total an infinity?

IMHO you are trying to describe the indescribable and yes that is necessarily fraught with difficulty, but it's in the asscribing of personality to 'God' that things get sticky. That is always likely to be deeply personal and filtered thru one's societal, and familarial conditioning. Your description is a bit spooky, like I've got a spy in my head going to report back to big daddy, and; it does not answer so many questions about god. So far, for me, it does not add up! It does not, for example, address the origin of what is described as 'God'. Without some reason to ascribe a hierarchical level to the universe in which one posits a superior being and call that 'God', it seems to me that it needs an explanation of how this being came to be and what right it has to be 'God'.

But, whatever, each to their own

Here's a quote from Stuart Wilde that gives an interesting angle on the 'God' question:
"The Force, like your Higher Self, is an energy that experiences evolution. It is massive, exhilirating, magnanimous beyond description - you might want to call it God. It is growing, dynamic and has an inner drive or desire to be more of itself ... everything has the Force within."

Similar idea, but without the ascription of a personality, not that I think there is no personality, Stuart Wilde encapsulates the idea that whatever it is we are attempting to describe as God or The Force or whatever is so dynamic that any description is limited.

Namaste

ArmsMerchant · #5 2007-04-09, 19:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hare_Geist View Post

Now if you want to argue that this totality has some grand, unifying consciousness that watches and guides everything, by all means do. Because as it is, this thread is dull.

Thank you for pointing that out. My bad.

Allow me to add that, this "totality"--while manifesting itself physically--is at the highest reality, pure spirit, or consciousness, and that consciousness is sentient, creative, and loving.

Hare_Geist · #6 2007-04-09, 19:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArmsMerchant View Post

Allow me to add that, this "totality"--while manifesting itself physically--is at the highest reality, pure spirit, or consciousness, and that consciousness is sentient, creative, and loving.

Great. Now prove it.

Twisted_Ferret · #7 2007-04-09, 23:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArmsMerchant View Post

"Even in the back of your mind, where you sometimes think uncharitable things about people because you don't think anybody is listening--is God, sitting there listening. . . .

Doesn't all this mean that God is those thoughts, as well? God is you, and Hitler, and Jack the Ripper...

ArmsMerchant · #8 2007-04-10, 19:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twisted_Ferret View Post

Doesn't all this mean that God is those thoughts, as well? God is you, and Hitler, and Jack the Ripper...

Exactly. I have read, and accept as true that when you realize that Hitler is in heaven, then you have started to understand the nature of God.

All of those folks you mention are loved by God the same as Mother Teresa,Gandhi, and Henry Ford.

And in the long run--eternity, that is--there is NO DIFFERENCE between them. Or you are I. At the Highest Reality, we are All One.

ArmsMerchant · #9 2007-04-10, 19:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hare_Geist View Post

Great. Now prove it.

Right now, I am wearing black Reeboks. I paid $19.98 plus tax for them. There is NO WAY I can prove to you even such a smple and mundane thing.

How then to "prove" the existence of God to someone who has created for himself a universe in which there is no God?

How lonely and sad you must be.