Acceptance and Being

Last night at the daily meditation in Second Life I had a most wonderful experience.  What was so wonderful, you might ask?  Well, I realized how much acceptance is playing a part of my perspective and how clear I am on the Divine being through everyone. 

After the invocation (a brief affirmative prayer designed to set the intention for sacred space for the meditation) a question was posed by a newcomer.  "What is the goal of meditation?" He asked.  I started by thanking him for the most excellent question.  I then responded along the lines that for me the goal of meditation is learning how to think.  Following my expanding upon the answer and I was asked another question.

"How do you deal with the forces coming to you?" He asked again.  I explained that I believe that God is Omnipresent, in, as, and through every thing, every event, and every one.  Therefore, I do not believe that any forces come at me or to me.  I believe that God is being through me, through the centre of my being, and as a consequence I have the creative potential of God within.  And it is only my thinking, my feelings, old thought-patterns, beliefs and attitudes that get in the way of this potential.

As you might imagine, by this point, I was enjoying some great questions and the opportunity to contemplate some thoughtful questions.  However, that previous question had waved a flag in my mind.  I had a sense that there was a motive in the mind of the questioner that was confirmed by the next question.

"Jesus said in John 14:6, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” He said.  This comment was clearly a shift from question to declaration.  And to this I replied that whilst I view Jesus as a Master teacher, ranking him alongside the other great masters and prophets such as Buddha and Muhammed, I do not believe I need a mediator to commune with God.  Whilst I honour and accept all the beautiful paths to devotion this is not my path.  I closed my response by sharing that whilst we had different belief systems and are traveling by different paths I believe we are headed toward the same destination.

In the meantime the rest of the group had been silent.  But following this last comment someone then responded with a quote from Matthew 5:8. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God."  This was an interesting counter-reference since it implies that one need only be pure of heart to see God, which obviously provides a striking contrast to John 14:6.

At this point we went into meditation and in spite of inviting the visitor to stay and join us in community after the meditation they left.  I offered them blessings and entered into spaciousness.

Upon reflection I celebrate this event.  I felt, and feel, a complete sense of love for this visitor.  At first I contemplated memorizing Matthew 5:8 for such conversations in the future.  But then I had a realization.  What is the point of debating theology?  The idea of trying to convince someone of a theological standpoint is not what I feel drawn too.  I feel drawn to supporting others convince themselves.  If our visitor is in love with Jesus and is focusing on inspiring and supporting the transformation of consciousness who am I to get in the way of that in any fashion?  And besides, God isn't interested in my theology, rather in the love, acceptance and compassion I fill my heart and my life with.

Truly he is blessed by God being through him.  But then so am I, as is everyone for that matter.  I feel a deep sense of peace and joy around this conversation, as I did last night.  I celebrate my acceptance of all paths.  I celebrate that God is being through me.  I celebrate that perhaps a year or two ago I wouldn't have held such love in my heart as I did last night when speaking with him. 

Celebration is a spiritual practice.  If you notice you have made progress toward your vision in a way that brings you peace and joy, then take the time to celebrate this, just as I am in this blog posting.

I celebrate that the path that I follow does not ask me to go forth and "make disciples of all nations."  I am coming to realize that my gospel in this regard is to, "go forth and live in love and acceptance."  If others feel drawn to ask me why I am so peaceful I shall share the story of my path with them.  And if they feel drawn to walk with me for a while I shall celebrate.  And if not, then with acceptance in my heart I will offer them blessings and know that ultimately their destination is as beautiful as mine.