Todd, you must be tuned in to the cosmic consciousness. Acceptance seems to be trending. When I opened my inbox, the Epoch Times has an article on the Seven Stoic Principles to Intentional Living. I look at my coffee table and there lies my next read, a book by Daniel A. Miller, The Gifts of Acceptance, and more, all right on topic.
For me, the psychic shift happened when I realized (accepted) the bag of tragedies, pain, disappointments, misery and all harm done to me which I had been hauling around all my life could be accessed to help someone else. The injuries became my assets. By being willing to take that inward action (acceptance), evil was transformed into good will toward humankind. God can do through me what I can't do myself. The only question is; am I willing?
I'm learning by exploring diverse views, e.g., comparative religion and philosophy. Belief might offer heuristic coping value. A correspondent suggested https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ufLm4SO9L8 I found it easier to harmonize with the nature of things than practice patience, albeit they appear related behaviors, as if harmonizing is a half-step toward patience.
Brilliant! "However, the history of the current situation will also change, therefore you will not be aware of the “change.” Exactly. Curiously, I was just typing notes on this subject when I opened this post. We, possibly, differ only on one issue. I see Love as unqualified, brute force. We map it to a positive emotion, and use it that way. It does not have to be so. IMHO it is neither good nor evil; a crowbar one (including God) takes to 'remodel' Reality. As far as I am aware, I am closest on this to Schopenhauer and his Will, but not exactly on the same page.
Somewhat tangential, but interesting nonetheless: According to some old alchemical texts, this is the 36th attempt on Creation (bakes one's noodle, right?)
Interesting point. If we do as you say, doesn't God then become something that is not benevolent? But rather arbitrary? If love is not, at its core, "good", but can be either, nothing, and anything, where would we stand on evil?
This would require a very long answer. Suffice to say, Love (the word is too loaded) as a mere lever would actually make God not arbitrary, IMHO, but intentional. Creation for Creation's sake, art for art? No, there is a purpose but we may be just a pawn. Important perhaps, expendable certainly. Ask Job. The book (in the link) seems to capture some of it. We can 'love' very bad things into existence. In other words, hating somebody will do nothing outside of emotional self-depletion. On the other hand, 'loving' something bad on somebody will work wonders.
I have not written anything that would make sense to anybody but me. I am not planning to do it either. I am more of the practical persuasion. Everything on these topics has been written and has been around for thousands of years. The thing that interests me is how it applies to the world around us in the context of the modern era. We have much more information (data) than the ancients but not necessarily more understanding. As a result, we have come to radically wrong conclusions about Reality. That's at least what I think.
Again, your post was brilliant, spot on, and I'd love to read more. 'This requires a definition of the word “real”—which I will avoid going into' Maybe next time? That's why I subscribed to begin with.
Thank you for your kind and encouraging words. I think I feel pretty much the same way, I have spent a ton of time studying ancient Egypt, and am continuously amazed by their apparent understanding of life, the cosmos, etc.
Yes, I am always fumbling around with the word "real"...a few other words have me perpetually frustrated, like God, love, etc
Right. We deal with what’s in front of us. Our temporal reality. We keep going, trying to keep good at the forefront, and trying to lessen the impact of the evil we cannot control.
As to God being the author of evil-I believe that God created everything that is or ever has been.
I form the light, and create darkness:
I make peace, and create evil:
I the Lord do all these things.
Isaiah 45:7
So I do believe that evil, i.e. the choice to do harm, exists in all of us and is part of our being. That part of us must be kept in view, so we won’t allow it to alter our outlook whilst looking away.
Great article, Todd. I agree with everything you say..., acceptance does not mean that we agree with evil, but we do not need to take action to "punish" evil... Related to this, during the last several years, I have come to the conclusion that the most important teaching of Jesus Christ is forgiveness. Likewise, forgiveness does not mean that we condone evil. Also, I believe that although Jesus does not talk about karma, forgiveness liberates us from karma, while respecting the law of karma; by forgiving others, we make ourselves worthy of God's forgiveness. It is one of the petitions in the Lord's Prayer.
I so agree that forgiveness is the major teaching of Jesus. I am a student of A Course in Miracles… contained in a book believed by myself and others as a direct narrative from Jesus…forgiveness is key.
I really appreciate your comment Ivan. Forgiveness is the path to acceptance; without it, I believe it is difficult to imagine acceptance being possible.
Todd, you must be tuned in to the cosmic consciousness. Acceptance seems to be trending. When I opened my inbox, the Epoch Times has an article on the Seven Stoic Principles to Intentional Living. I look at my coffee table and there lies my next read, a book by Daniel A. Miller, The Gifts of Acceptance, and more, all right on topic.
For me, the psychic shift happened when I realized (accepted) the bag of tragedies, pain, disappointments, misery and all harm done to me which I had been hauling around all my life could be accessed to help someone else. The injuries became my assets. By being willing to take that inward action (acceptance), evil was transformed into good will toward humankind. God can do through me what I can't do myself. The only question is; am I willing?
So beautifully said.
I'm learning by exploring diverse views, e.g., comparative religion and philosophy. Belief might offer heuristic coping value. A correspondent suggested https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ufLm4SO9L8 I found it easier to harmonize with the nature of things than practice patience, albeit they appear related behaviors, as if harmonizing is a half-step toward patience.
Good one, once again, Todd. Your insightful posts is the reason that you are a steady link for me @https://nothingnewunderthesun2016.com/
Thank you!!!
Brilliant! "However, the history of the current situation will also change, therefore you will not be aware of the “change.” Exactly. Curiously, I was just typing notes on this subject when I opened this post. We, possibly, differ only on one issue. I see Love as unqualified, brute force. We map it to a positive emotion, and use it that way. It does not have to be so. IMHO it is neither good nor evil; a crowbar one (including God) takes to 'remodel' Reality. As far as I am aware, I am closest on this to Schopenhauer and his Will, but not exactly on the same page.
PART III
Maybe I am not understanding you...very well could be! Check this out.
https://amzn.to/4fVUhpK
Somewhat tangential, but interesting nonetheless: According to some old alchemical texts, this is the 36th attempt on Creation (bakes one's noodle, right?)
For some reason substack no longer allows me to make replies of any length, so I am adding to the one I just made...
Interesting point. If we do as you say, doesn't God then become something that is not benevolent? But rather arbitrary? If love is not, at its core, "good", but can be either, nothing, and anything, where would we stand on evil?
This would require a very long answer. Suffice to say, Love (the word is too loaded) as a mere lever would actually make God not arbitrary, IMHO, but intentional. Creation for Creation's sake, art for art? No, there is a purpose but we may be just a pawn. Important perhaps, expendable certainly. Ask Job. The book (in the link) seems to capture some of it. We can 'love' very bad things into existence. In other words, hating somebody will do nothing outside of emotional self-depletion. On the other hand, 'loving' something bad on somebody will work wonders.
I believe by loving something bad , you are able to see through the “bad” to the light, to the sacred. To what is real.
Very inspiring and insightful words...would love to read more...have you written anything about this??
The is written by Adam Crabtree, my psychotherapist and mentor of sorts. I have learned an immense amount from him.
I have not written anything that would make sense to anybody but me. I am not planning to do it either. I am more of the practical persuasion. Everything on these topics has been written and has been around for thousands of years. The thing that interests me is how it applies to the world around us in the context of the modern era. We have much more information (data) than the ancients but not necessarily more understanding. As a result, we have come to radically wrong conclusions about Reality. That's at least what I think.
Again, your post was brilliant, spot on, and I'd love to read more. 'This requires a definition of the word “real”—which I will avoid going into' Maybe next time? That's why I subscribed to begin with.
Thank you for your kind and encouraging words. I think I feel pretty much the same way, I have spent a ton of time studying ancient Egypt, and am continuously amazed by their apparent understanding of life, the cosmos, etc.
Yes, I am always fumbling around with the word "real"...a few other words have me perpetually frustrated, like God, love, etc
Right. We deal with what’s in front of us. Our temporal reality. We keep going, trying to keep good at the forefront, and trying to lessen the impact of the evil we cannot control.
As to God being the author of evil-I believe that God created everything that is or ever has been.
I form the light, and create darkness:
I make peace, and create evil:
I the Lord do all these things.
Isaiah 45:7
So I do believe that evil, i.e. the choice to do harm, exists in all of us and is part of our being. That part of us must be kept in view, so we won’t allow it to alter our outlook whilst looking away.
Good article
I wasn't aware that was in scripture...wow...thank you for sharing this...
Speaking of evil and mankind-this looks interesting
https://jordanhenderson.substack.com/p/all-the-humans-are-sleeping?
Great article, Todd. I agree with everything you say..., acceptance does not mean that we agree with evil, but we do not need to take action to "punish" evil... Related to this, during the last several years, I have come to the conclusion that the most important teaching of Jesus Christ is forgiveness. Likewise, forgiveness does not mean that we condone evil. Also, I believe that although Jesus does not talk about karma, forgiveness liberates us from karma, while respecting the law of karma; by forgiving others, we make ourselves worthy of God's forgiveness. It is one of the petitions in the Lord's Prayer.
I so agree that forgiveness is the major teaching of Jesus. I am a student of A Course in Miracles… contained in a book believed by myself and others as a direct narrative from Jesus…forgiveness is key.
I really appreciate your comment Ivan. Forgiveness is the path to acceptance; without it, I believe it is difficult to imagine acceptance being possible.
Appreciate you comment also. Best.
Forgiveness is the key to it all. And again, I don't know if most people know what we mean when we say "forgive"...