story time

The universe is what it is. All else is interpretation.

As soon as one says the world or existence is a certain way, one is lying. To put it more sweetly, one is telling a story. This is neither good nor bad; it is a human urge. We need to make sense of our lives.

All through history (and history itself is story-telling -- there are very different histories of the same "events") there are those who invent a new story, who step outside existing stories and look with refreshing eyes. A more inclusive story is born. This is true in both science (physics) and religion (metaphysics).

For example, the old Christianity is exclusive -- pitting itself against all other forms of understanding. A new Christianity would look more at the interweaving of all that exists.

The old Christianity says heaven and hell are after physical death and only "true" Christians go to heaven. A new Christianity says heaven and hell are here now and everyone experiences both.

The old Christianity says we live now in time and space and upon death will live in eternity. A new Christianity says eternity is NOW and infinity extends in every "direction."

The old Christianity says the cross is the role model (suffering, death). A new Christianity says the empty tomb is the role model (resurrection, transformation).

The old Christianity says to worship Jesus. A new Christianity says to be like Jesus ("I and the Source are one").

I pick on Christianity because it is my birth religion. But the same holds true for all other metaphysical (religious) views. Ditch the exclusive dogma of the old stories and open to an understanding of the interweaving of all.

Since we are going to tell a story, we may as well tell the best one possible.