Sunday Musings – February 9, 2020
Making sense
It seems as if since humans evolved enough to have a brain which can question the reason for existence other than just being, we have been positing a concept of a god or gods. Sometime we posit very playful, human-like gods who make love, get unhappy with each other, and are frequently pushing the limits. The experiences of the gods as told through the stories were often meant as reminders of the possibilities and dangers of this life journey. Sometimes we posit very angry, judgmental gods or a god who blames humans for their very humanness. This god is big on punishment and reward although reward seems often to be very elusive because of our refusal to behave as the god(s) think we should. Sometimes very specific duties are assigned to the gods. At times, god or the gods delegate some of these duties to guardian angels or saints.
Wise people such as Jesus or the Buddha stand in for god or the gods. They tend to be more accepting of our humanness and the magic of how the parts of the universe(s) interact with or play with each other.
The quest to make sense of this very brief life journey is laudatory and can, in and of itself, give a sense of purpose for those of us whose brain easily gets bored or has the luxury of not having to focus on basic survival needs.
Our human brains seem capable of the most creative works of beauty as well as very practical creations. Having grown up without running water, electricity, or indoor plumbing, I am very grateful for these luxuries. This morning I was very aware of enjoying the snow from the comfort of my centrally-heated house and my indoor bathroom. I do not miss the outhouse of my childhood.
Our human brain is also capable of diabolical, illogical creations such as the concept of heaven and hell. While it may be a scientific fact that energy is neither created or destroyed it can certainly be contained or released. Envisioning, however, a return to our human form long after we have been cremated or allowed to slowly return to our natural state of dust seems perhaps wishful thinking. Mark Twain did wonder why we would posit such a boring eternity as heaven sans all the activities we really enjoyed here on earth such as good food and sex. Many have also questioned why we would posit a god who punishes humans for our very humanness; for not consistently being our best. Most of these concepts were posited long before we knew about the many factors such as mental illness which affects our thought processes and subsequent actions. Yet, we steadfastly hold on to this primitive concept of justice – of reward and punishment.
Certainly much of his life journey does seem to live on in the DNA of those who come after us and affect how we function or do not function; how we live in harmony or disharmony with the rest of the universe(s).
A friend of mine told me recently that someone asked her if she thought that those who commit suicide are invited to heaven. Her response was similar to mine. Why in the world would one want to posit a god who would eternally punish someone for being in so much pain that the only option to stop the pain seems to be suicide? This god would be a monster.
It seems that we humans are at our best when we allow this very active mind of ours to focus on the magic of how all the parts of the universe can work together to create perfect harmony or balance. When we humans can accept this seeming fact, our prayer(s) to the god of our understanding – to the whole of all that is – is one of gratitude and awe. In the center of that awe we can hold the memory and the eternal energy which was the loved ones who suffered with depression and other illnesses. Perhaps it can be and is that simple. Let the god or gods be who they are – unnamed and unknowable.
Written February 9, 2020
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
Sunday Musings – February 9, 2020
Making sense
It seems as if since humans evolved enough to have a brain which can question the reason for existence other than just being, we have been positing a concept of a god or gods. Sometime we posit very playful, human-like gods who make love, get unhappy with each other, and are frequently pushing the limits. The experiences of the gods as told through the stories were often meant as reminders of the possibilities and dangers of this life journey. Sometimes we posit very angry, judgmental gods or a god who blames humans for their very humanness. This god is big on punishment and reward although reward seems often to be very elusive because of our refusal to behave as the god(s) think we should. Sometimes very specific duties are assigned to the gods. At times, god or the gods delegate some of these duties to guardian angels or saints.
Wise people such as Jesus or the Buddha stand in for god or the gods. They tend to be more accepting of our humanness and the magic of how the parts of the universe(s) interact with or play with each other.
The quest to make sense of this very brief life journey is laudatory and can, in and of itself, give a sense of purpose for those of us whose brain easily gets bored or has the luxury of not having to focus on basic survival needs.
Our human brains seem capable of the most creative works of beauty as well as very practical creations. Having grown up without running water, electricity, or indoor plumbing, I am very grateful for these luxuries. This morning I was very aware of enjoying the snow from the comfort of my centrally-heated house and my indoor bathroom. I do not miss the outhouse of my childhood.
Our human brain is also capable of diabolical, illogical creations such as the concept of heaven and hell. While it may be a scientific fact that energy is neither created or destroyed it can certainly be contained or released. Envisioning, however, a return to our human form long after we have been cremated or allowed to slowly return to our natural state of dust seems perhaps wishful thinking. Mark Twain did wonder why we would posit such a boring eternity as heaven sans all the activities we really enjoyed here on earth such as good food and sex. Many have also questioned why we would posit a god who punishes humans for our very humanness; for not consistently being our best. Most of these concepts were posited long before we knew about the many factors such as mental illness which affects our thought processes and subsequent actions. Yet, we steadfastly hold on to this primitive concept of justice – of reward and punishment.
Certainly much of his life journey does seem to live on in the DNA of those who come after us and affect how we function or do not function; how we live in harmony or disharmony with the rest of the universe(s).
A friend of mine told me recently that someone asked her if she thought that those who commit suicide are invited to heaven. Her response was similar to mine. Why in the world would one want to posit a god who would eternally punish someone for being in so much pain that the only option to stop the pain seems to be suicide? This god would be a monster.
It seems that we humans are at our best when we allow this very active mind of ours to focus on the magic of how all the parts of the universe can work together to create perfect harmony or balance. When we humans can accept this seeming fact, our prayer(s) to the god of our understanding – to the whole of all that is – is one of gratitude and awe. In the center of that awe we can hold the memory and the eternal energy which was the loved ones who suffered with depression and other illnesses. Perhaps it can be and is that simple. Let the god or gods be who they are – unnamed and unknowable.
Written February 9, 2020
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
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