I was considering my place in time and the thought (spurred by a C. S. Lewis book) that right now is eternity. We hear a lot of mumbo jumbo in the Christian world and we just swallow it because we’ve always heard it. Here’s one: “Someday we shall live in eternity.” Say what? What then are we doing now, waiting for eternity to begin? How will we know when it starts?
I was thinking all of this when I read Brother Larry’s most recent blog. It seems most obvious to me that we are now, each moment, each one of us caught up in the only thing that really matters. How easily I am distracted from reality and life by idealisms and dogma that offer me neither happiness nor security. It is better to embrace mystery and people than some idea of what you will do or some despair over what you have done.There is a bigger thing of which we are part. Here’s a quote by someone smart:
"A human being is a part of a whole, called by us "universe," a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest... a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty."
-Albert Einstein
Right now is the only link, the only connection that I have with the rest of this thing called a universe and all of it’s other parts. How will I free myself from this prison and consume the mystery of my place in time.
This I believe.
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13 comments:
Alan Lightman hopes that we never find the "theory of everything". I think this is what Christianity contends. Whatever the question happens to be, the answer lies in Christ. Yet...The mystery remains. Eternity is still infinitely beyond us. God is infinitely mysterious.
I don't think the idea is to escape from self, but rather to escape from the prioritizing of self, and the examination of self.
Jeanne's point is a good one. I don't want to be absorbed into the cosmic Whole. I do want (rather, I want to want) to lay myself aside. Something I can only do if I recognize a distinct self.
This is a very thought provoking idea. I think I have believed this for a while and not had words to hang to it.
We are most alive when we connect now and meaningfully with other people.
Bargar's comment is a good one too. Eternity is bigger than (beyond) us, and we are in the middle of it at the same time.
Bargar, Yes Christianity reminds us that Mystery is integral to the life of a created being. I love the way you put that:
"Whatever the question happens to be, the answer lies in Christ. Yet...The mystery remains."
Thank you for your comment.
Gar,
Cosmic whole?
Jeanne,
Escape from self-centeredness, self-ishness, self-absorption, and self-aggrandizement and just about anything else that starts with self. And prayerfully replace them with things that begin with Christ.
I beg to differ with you. Look outside of yourself, and see what needs doing. Don't look at yourself and decide how you should be.
In other words, desire good, have faith. You don't have to do the changing, or even decide what needs changing. Allow it to be changed. Give up control. It is a deceptive, alluring form of self absorption.
Jeanne and I never differ more than when we are trying to say the same thing.
You need a haircut.
"Jeanne and I never differ more than when we are trying to say the same thing."
Yep. Why the hell is that? Are you twins separated at birth? Far out.
"Cosmic whole?"
The idea that all everything is God.
There cannot be such thing as unity with another, if there is no other.
Wow you guys are all so deep... ha ha lighten up. Brendar I like your musing on eternity and when it might start. (I have to say I think it already began...) I don't like to analyze those type of questions too deeply because I don't see ever really being able to find or know the answer. This would drive me nuts - hence I will just relax and enjoy my existence.
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