(47) Scripture

Awhile back I was e-talking with a friend about Scripture. Over
the millennia there have been all forms of human-generated
Scripture, eventually transformed by some as writ by God's own
hand. Hence we have "Holy Writ," if you will.

As for myself, even when a youngster, I had questions about
Biblical Scripture. I still remember people pointing fingers,
threatening, quoting Scripture in the most extreme ways. So--
since I had begun to read pretty good, I decided to pull out a
family Bible and started checking it out for myself.

Right off I began to see disparities, mistakes in the telling,
and this shook me at my young age. Later, after years of not
only self-study, but also professional study, I'm no longer
surprised or shook. The Bible is a library of books about a
myriad of topics, ranging from an usually heroic (if not precisely
a historically correct) account of Ancient Israel and its People.
Moving from the Old to the New Testament, one can detect
the effort of the various authors to carry forth a continuity of
those earlier writings that proclaimed the coming of a Messiah.

Hence writers in the New Testament proclaimed Jesus the
Messiah, the Son of God. And the Gospel writers also catered
to the particular faith group to which the belonged. Also, the
Gospels were written 70-to-90 years after the death of Jesus.
Just check any Bible and look at the special notes, and this
chronology is mentioned.

So it's difficult to think of these Gospel writers as those original
disciples, some likely near illiterate fishermen who spoke
colloquial Aramaic rather than the Greek which was the
original language employed when it came to these writings.
Studying further, I found out that biblical scholars believe that
the Gospel writers initially may have formed their stories around
an earlier account called the "Q" document, though no such
document has ever been discovered. However, surely there
must have been an oral tradition of sorts,

I discovered, too, that there probably was more than one author
of some of these Gospels. Computer technology has played a
part when it comes to this assumption. Goodness! Even recently
I came across a noted scholar talking about the "Deutero Paul."
That surprised me, especially since St. Paul's writing preceded
the Gospels.

Nonetheless, I do realize that there's some "historicity" in these
scriptural accounts. It's just not History as we have come to
understand such today, which is documented and presumed
factual. What scholars have been discovering is that these
Gospels were narratives, stories smack full of not only events
but symbolism. And they definitely tell one of the Greatest
Stories of all time!

Now does all this make the Scriptures untenable? For some,
maybe. For others, not at all. They are a record presented by
ancient voices, oft in a style familiar to the archaic societies in
which they lived. What has become important for me, as I have
continued to be fascinated by Scripture, is to study deeper into
these archaic societies to which the Gospel writers were addressing.

If we can better understand the thought patterns, the nuances of
these archaic societies, then Scripture might fall into place far
better when it comes to our understanding of such.

(46) Cosmic Vision

People through the ages have visions, some come through
meditation, some through dreams, but always unexpectedly.
My special vision came in a dream, a seriously profound dream!

Years back I spent a lot of time working into the Benedictine
Tradition, a monastic-oriented life. (See my "Monastic Muse"
journal, if interested.) Anyway--I was having concerns that
my Benedictine moorings were drifting away, hence I was
disturbed. Perhaps because of this disturbed state I had
this special dream or vision.

In the dream I was sitting in the abbey, listening to a conference
given by the abbot. During the course of his talk, I started noticing
him slipping farther and farther away. Suddenly I looked up and
saw the roof of the abbey had become a gigantic skylight. It
opened to the night sky, and a friend sitting next to me said "look."

Looking upward, I saw countless stars in the night sky--and directly
overhead was the Big Dipper, turned upside down. It was
pouring stars down onto my head. And out of the corner of my eye
I saw a great shining City of Light in the distance, out in Space.
Astounded, I realized that I had received a cosmic baptism!

Now there are different ways to interpret such a dream or vision.
One is to ignore it completely, but I couldn't. Another is to set it
within the context of my own small reality, and probably whittle it
away. But I couldn't. Somehow, down to my basic instinct, I felt
this dream or vision as seriously significant for me.

Years before, in New Mexico, I had discovered my "wotai stone,"
which I described in Item 21 of this essay site. I had worked into
the indigenous spirituality of Ed McGaa, a Sioux spiritual master,
and he talked about the Great Spirit, Wakan Tanka, and also about
the wotai stone, millions of years in the making, made just for you.
And, yes, I found mine!

Within this special stone one could see a rainbow-streaked eagle
looming over a globe, seemingly protecting it. The eagle is a spirit
bird, flying higher than all the other birds, reaching into the heavens.
It's symbolic of the Great Spirit. As for the globe, I interpreted this
symbol two ways: one as the planet Earth, the other as the universe.

Later I came upon a special ring, which I wear to this day. It drew
me towards it when I first saw it. Within the stone there's a massive
comet streaking across the starry sky. I see it as the Fire of the
Spirit traversing through the Cosmos.

So, with this special dream vision I finally realized that all my past
concentration into understanding the universe, trying to approach
the Contours of God through my efforts in Science and Spirituality,
my fascination with the Pantocrator, the Lord of the Universe,
Master of the Cosmic Realm, even my volunteer efforts as a
docent naturalist, concentrating on eco-literacy, focusing on the
natural systems of the planet, all were somehow *connected.*

Consequently, this special dream-vision of a cosmic baptism
seemed a verification for me that my long sojourn, into all its
paths, was right for me. I had over time received strong hints
all along the way that this special sojourn reflected the right
calling for me. And the dream-vision seemed the final stamp
of approval, if you will.

I accept such, and with this shall continue my efforts as long as
I have breath.

(45) Looking Back

It's like I am in an in-between time, neither this, neither that. I can't
say that I am comfortable in this state, but I do try to keep plugging
forward. Forward to what? It's like I am leaving something behind
and I have to go back and find it. So, before heading forward maybe
I need look back.

What might be back there to re-discover or maybe actually discover.
Events, experiences, happen in our life that sometimes just pass over
us, making hardly a ripple, barely noticeable, and later emerge into
significance. I seem to intuit that this might be the case for me.

On the other hand, I really do dislike looking back. I've never cared
to be Past oriented, if you will. But I seem to be getting an inner
message that now is the time to go against the grain and look back.

Whatever might I see or at least sense? I've walked down many
paths over my years, crossed bridges multiple times, keeping my
eyes fixed in the distance. So changing my gaze back, I need
look far in the distance the places I have traversed. What's there?

Maybe I have to employ my "feeling" more. I know what I miss, what
I sometimes long for. I miss those magical moments that I have
abandoned. My cool head, my scientific bent has held me in good
stead; however, so have my feelings. In the past they always worked
well together, but I have to wonder whether I have grown too one-
sided? Or too old?

I remember those magical moments in Nature, where I have walked
through glorious realms of mountains and canyons, looking out on
the distances of grasslands, cupping rainbows in my hands, watching
thunderous dark clouds closing overhead, watching wild animals
burrowing in the desert, transfixed by the Giant Sequoia, and simply
looking up at the clouds.

Too old for all this now? I hope not, but I feel more limited. Still I can
reach the ocean, sometimes go to the desert, and travel through the
mountains. I live in an area where all this is actually possible in a
day's time. So why not bring my Past back into my Present. It's just
a matter of intention--and a small amount of effort.

What else might I re-discover? It's the ever New that held me in
thrall when I first encountered the excitement of modern Science
Theories. I've let them become "hard work" now, and that's no
fun. I need regain my enthusiasm, that sense of *en theos* that
these new theoretics were unfolding for me.

Whew! This little exercise looking back actually energized me!
Perhaps such might help me get back on track. But it's all up to
me, bringing "back then" once again into my horizon as I move
forward.

(44) Fixing it Up

Sometimes my sojourn swings into other territories that are not
necessarily "spiritual," but than again maybe they are in a different
kind of way. Living in a century-old (or more) Craftsman house,
designed by Greene & Greene during the Arts and Crafts Era,
I've spent a lot of time landscaping the property. The house
remains in pretty good shape, made of redwood, painted in
creamy Navajo White with Cherokee Rock trim, we decided to
stain the front porch a complimentary Aztec Red. Happily the
effort turned out just fine. And it gave me an excuse to brighten
the porch further with lovely pink ceramic pots replete with orange
and red flowers. And our new doormat is a splash of colors that
surely attracts the eye.

Recently I wrote a journal in which I made mention my "Sensate
Side," taking note my propensity for beautiful interior decor as
well as attractive outdoor living. And I realized how important
the sense of Beauty is when it comes to any sort of spiritual life.
It's not all deep thought and meditation, it's more--at least for me--
a well-rounded effort in living out the daily, if you will, in pleasant
and creative ways.

(43) Futurist

Over the past several years I have been groping towards a new
kind of activity, basically wanting to slip into yet another career.
I remain incredulous that I have lived long enough to actually
even think about a third career, much less moving into one. But
that is what I seem to have been doing lately.

As for becoming a futurist, well that was a "bee in my bonnet"
quite a long time ago. I thought about such a pursuit while I was
still preparing to be a science and systems philosopher. But at
the time I felt that I already had too much on my plate, which was
true. And, geez, that all was more than 20 years back.

During the ensuing 20 years I have truly enjoyed playing at being
a free-thinking philosopher, if you will. Speculative, of course,
fiddling into Metaphysics--basically wondering over those great
human questions we all have, about the nature of the universe,
about a Greater Reality, and about our situation and role in such.
I've been blessed having the leisure to do this, and I'm truly
thankful for having had the privilege to do so.

But in a strange way, I felt that I had reached the end of the ride.
I felt that I had said about all that I was capable of saying. Yes,
information keeps pouring in, material that is well beyond my
ability to handle. So I felt that it was time, once again, to "retire."

After two careers, why not retire? However, I discovered that I
am one of those persons who somehow cannot really retire.
Somehow I need keep digging around, researching and writing,
approaching new topics.

Hence I am again grappling as to what I might do in this so-called
"Third Age" that is upon me. After some time the thought about
becoming a futurist once again pounced into my life. So I
gathered myself together and looked about how one becomes
a futurist.

For awhile I studied the writing of some futurists I knew about.
There's the "Futurist Magazine" as well, that seems to cover
all the territories of the entire ballpark. But I realized that all
this new business had to jell in my mind. Finally I came to realize
that I would continue working towards that scientific and spiritual
blend of topics I love, only moving into what seems to be
"cutting-edge" subjects that have only arisen (at least in my
horizon) and might seriously impact in the future.

So, after lots more pondering as well as some digging about, I
have managed to discover at least 30 topics, fitting into three
major philosophical categories, that are on the cusp of this
axial period in which we live. Finding these topics are one thing,
however; but carrying out depth research and writing eventual
essays are another.

When I came to realize the enormity of this proposed project, I
really cringed. Would I even live long enough to complete it?
What the heck! It would be nice to finish what I hope to start,
but--really--more important for me is that not only do I think the
work is significant, but it keeps me out of the rocking-chair!
Might as well have a sense of humor when it comes to this
ever lengthy sojourn of mine.

(42) Vitalism, Panpsychism, & Emergentism

Albeit boasting ancient philosophical sources, these three
above "isms" remain speculative right into our own modern
day. Academic philosophers have written reams about these
particular positions about Mind, pro and con. And mostly
they tend to separate these three concepts, one from the
other. And beyond separation, sometimes there's contrast
and competition between the three, even denial of one
over the other.

So I can only dare to tiptoe into these categories about Mind.
Starting out, we should at least give a minimal definition to
these categories--though I have no wish to delve deep in
such. Otherwise we would be writing tomes!

• Vitalism: In its simplest form, vitalism holds that living
organisms differ from non-living forms, in that there is an
energy--or "elan vital"--that sparks their "soul" or living spirit.
This vital energy is a substance that infuses and gives life
to more sophisticated forms.

• Panpsychism: Basically panpsychism is a doctrine that
maintains that Mind is suffused throughout the universe.
Mind is everywhere!

• Emergentism: Here we move into "complex systems" that
are not reducible "to those of their constituent elements."
And emergentism--as it involves Consciousness and Mind--
relates to a complex system that is more then the sum of the
"properties" of its parts.

Perhaps odd on my part, but I don't in the least feel the
need to pit any one of these three categories over against
the other. Rather I tend to see the possibility of a
fascinating *connection* linking all three of these "isms."

I tend to think that there must be a Creator of this particular
universe in which we live. Scientists talk about Natural Laws
incorporated into our universe. Theologians talk of God, or
more specifically the Spirit that gives us, the universe, its
power to move, to exist. Hence the "elan vital." One can
look at this from a more natural perspective, or assume
the theological perspective. Could be that our presumed
Natural Laws serve as the inputted pulse of the Spirit.

In turn, this special energy, this vital pulse, quickens Mind
that could have been embedded in the universe since its
creation. It's perhaps an Intelligible Force spread throughout,
waiting to be awakened.

And possibly this is where emergent minds come into the
picture. Underlying everything, everywhere, is Potential
Mind, slowly evolving, cropping forth in those complex
life forms (or systems).

So with this, I am getting around to what I blithely deem
as "consciousness points." We humans would seem to
be such. No doubt other complex systems, likely situated
throughout the universe, are also points of this
emergence of Embedded Mind.

In essay (39) I talk some about consciousness points and
ask "why." I cannot presume a specific answer, but I
suspect it's about Universal Mind becoming slowly yet
steadily more and more Conscious--and we humans,
we ever evolving complex systems, will continue to
mentally emerge until the entire universe becomes
What it is meant to be!

A companion to its Creator? An independent Thinking
Entity? Who knows! But whatever the "why" of it all,
at least I have come to realize the Exciting Adventure
of it all. There's Meaning deep down, if we choose
to see our universe this way.

(41) A Hiatus

The last several months I have been engaged working through
a health issue. Not too bad, fortunately. Still, there was some
anxiety undergoing various tests appropriate for my age, then
waiting for the results. The process took some time.

I could have let *stress* take over, but I had the good sense to
give over my anxiety to my particular sense of the Greater
Reality, who I dare to call the "Lord." Happily this gesture on
my part really helped, and I am truly thankful.

On the other hand, something strange seemed to be happening.
It wasn't that I had lost interest in my usual endeavors, like
writing essays and stories that represent my own spiritual
inclinations. Rather it simply was that my head and hands
would not comply. Recognizing this, I tried to break out
and get back to where I was before my health situation.

Didn't work, so I pretty much submitted to my "hiatus," if you will.
I went shopping, bought some new clothes which I really
needed since I've been losing weight. I also continued
pampering my new lawn area, establishing a new section
for table and chairs. All mundane stuff, I suppose, but somehow
I felt content. And these non-intellectual pursuits helped me
through. Have to give credit where credit is due--engaged in
the mundane most definitely can be a spiritual endeavor!

Feeling better now, I probably will slip back into my old habit
as a writer. But I'm willing to wait until my spirit, my mind, and
even my body says "yes."