QuakerQuaker

Primitive Christianity Revived, Again

Time

Time goes by. Working. Relationship. chores. all take up time.

My collection of books is not getting smaller either. :)

So when does God or my Inner Light shine?

I do have some time while commuting, that I use to listen to Podcasts. I enjoy Podcasts. Unfortunately, there are not too many Quaker podcasts via iTunes that I have found.

I am reading "Friends of 300 years" a book a bought a number of years ago, but never read. I like how the author refers to God as "The Inner Light". I have a hard time reading or hearing "Lord". Why? One, it is too "Person like" (though I am warming up to "Father" as a term). Like there is some guy sitting out there. Two, It feels too Authoritarian. Like God is some sort of dictator or ruler. That also feels too separate, too distant, and like I need to surrender. And surrender in a not good way. Surrendering to Love, surrendering to Light... feels warmer, closer... kind of like floating in the Tassajara Hot Springs and surrendering to the nuturing warmth of waters and peacefulness.

Though raised as a Methodist, from a young age, I described God and us as an Ocean and we are drops of water.

Hope this finds you well. Blessings.

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Comment by James C Schultz on 8th mo. 18, 2011 at 3:34pm: Perception is King. I like Lord because I perceive of Jesus as my protector. I also find comfort in a personal relationship with God as a person. It works for me but I can understand it not working for everyone.

Comment by Forrest Curo on 8th mo. 18, 2011 at 4:17pm: "Resistance is futile!"

If you recognize what you're surrendering to... as what you truly are-- You're known this 'Person' for a very long time, long before any explicit recognition.You don't need to consider it 'a person', but as it persons into everyone, why shouldn't you?

Jesus is utterly in tune with Who It Is, whether or not calling It 'Jesus' suits you!

Erich Schiffmann likes the 'Ocean'/drops metaphor, and I think that's valid too.

What needs to "surrender" are the things that are dead already... the blind spots, the taken-for-granted how-to-do-this mental subroutines that grow around each person like a concrete cocoon... and what you need to surrender to is simply wiser, more loving, more true than the mental shells people impose on themselves and others.

Comment by James C Schultz on 8th mo. 18, 2011 at 5:44pm: Sometimes we get hung up on what we are comfortable with. As seekers we should constantly strive for the truth and be willing to accept where that leads us. While I personally believe it will eventually lead us to the same place, I also believe that there are many paths to that place.

Comment by Jon on 8th mo. 19, 2011 at 12:01am: Dear Forest... In my words, I would say "surrendering to" as more of a letting in or embracing the Divine, Love, God. But that is my spin. Thanks for the comments.

Dear James... I agree with your point that we strive constantly for the truth and to be willing to accept what leads us. Thanks for your comments as well.

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