Sunday Thought, January 18, 2015: A "Personal" Universe of Peace

"When they discover the center of the universe, a lot of people will be disappointed to discover they are not it."

-- Bernard Bailey

I think one must develop a happy place, a “personal" universe of peace and tranquility; an escape from horrors outside of your realm of influence, that stressful pinball machine so many others would define as life.  Include in this universe all those that are at peace, and then include those in need of peace.  I think you should be the sun in your universe; the gravity around which all other bodies revolve.  As each body reaches harmony within your universe, your gravitational pull will increase on them and they will move closer until their own equilibrium is reached and a stationary orbit is attained.  The sun does not do this out of some misplaced ego.  This will occur of its own accord, as though a part of some natural law of passive influence; influence which occurs, and ends, at their desire, not yours.

"Everything in the universe wants to be loved and accepted.  Our personal work is to find the love and acceptance within ourselves."

-- Shakti Gawain. author, "personal development" proponent

When these orbiting bodies are ready, they will break their orbit and leave your gravitational sphere of "passive" influence.  They will strike out on their own, or with those bodies that have been affected by their pull, and they will create their own "personal universe."

How can we do this?  Many cannot even fathom the infinite majesty of the universe much less see themselves as some universe unto themselves.  Yet, we practice this very thing throughout our lives.  We have families that revolve around a central figure, and commonly reach out to create extended families.  We have beliefs that revolve around central concepts, governments that revolve around central bodies, and financial systems that revolve around central banks.  But these are concepts within our sphere of influence.  How is it possible for us to even consider defining ourselves as a universe when even science is still defining what a universe is?

The most basic problem with mankind is that we let our ego get in our line of vision; we cannot see the forest for the trees; we try too damned hard to accomplish that which is already done, to find that which is already found, and to be that which we already are.  We find ourselves drowning in a shallow pool, when all that is required for us to do is stand, and do our "happy dance." 

"All the powers of the universe all already ours.  It is we who have put our hands before our eyes and cry that it is dark."

-- Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902), Hindu monk

Have a wonderful Sunday full of family and friends, and don't forget to dance!




Note from Pastor Tony, the founder of the Congregation for Religious Tolerance, as well as the author and editor of "The Path," the Congregation's official blogsite:  

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion.  It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other.  An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so.

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and then engaging in peaceful, constructive, discussion and debate in an arena of mutual respect concerning the opinions put forth.  After over twenty years as a military intelligence analyst, planner, and briefer, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human.  God's test for us is what we do afterward, and what we learn from the experience.
  

Frank Anthony Villari, Pastor