In the USA, the television show called ‘Duck Dynasty’ has become very popular. Though I have never watched the show, I understand that an interview of its main patriarch triggered a great deal of controversy when he talked about what he saw as sin and the path to salvation.
To fathom all this, we must first understand that there is an underlying essence to all of life and existence. Modern science calls it the Unified Field. Theologians call it God. Everything in essence, is that unified field. It is the source of all that is… the source of all the intelligence and harmony that birth all of existence. It is nature, Mother Nature. Your own true nature is one with Mother Nature. You are, in essence, the unified field, i.e. one with God.
So what is sin? You could say that it quite simply is not living in harmony with your own true nature. That is the same as not living in harmony with Nature, Mother Nature, God, the Unified Field, etc. Clearly then, there are varying degrees of sin. Though simplistic, it is good that humanity has been provided with certain rules or laws to help people live in harmony with Nature. But where do you draw the line? When do these guidelines cease to be supportive and become oppressive? And who says the rules are really all correct or correctly understood? And are there exceptions to them? For example, with regard to ‘thou shalt not kill’ is there ever an exception? These matters can and are debated ad nausea. Opinions abound. But in the final analysis, the answers cannot be derived intellectually. Even as times change, the laws of nature change. Techniques and rules that work in one age (such as holding your hands over your head indefinitely to gain powers) may not be right for another.
How then does one not sin? Well, starting with basic rules can be helpful, but they are only training wheels. Ultimately, to not sin is to spontaneously live in harmony with nature. And that is a physiological state. It is not a rulebook. Rules may assist in the process of attaining that state, but that state goes far beyond the reach of those rules. Furthermore, rules quickly deteriorate into a quagmire of dogma. What is the way out? Evolve. Grow toward enlightenment. Do not be simplistic in your understanding of what that means. Be discerning.
So what is salvation? Like everything in existence, there are many levels to it. Superficially, salvation is any sort of awakening or commitment to a deeper or wiser truth. For example, New Years resolutions are a sort of salvation or commitment to becoming a better you. Being ‘Born Again’ too is such a commitment or some level or degree of awakening. But there are an infinite number of awakenings. Some things that are viewed as awakenings may even be steps backward. Of course, the highest form of salvation is enlightenment… spontaneously living in harmony with Nature. But just get ready. When you see beyond the horizon, all who have their gaze fixed upon rules and laws will judge you in terms of what they are capable of seeing. It has been said that the enlightened, in this age of ignorance, are kicked around like a football. For now, no matter who you are, no matter how knowledgeable you may be in your studies of spirituality, know that you are in for new awakenings. Also know that when the great awakening comes, your understanding of everything, of all you think you know, will be turned over on its head… like a sock that was inside out being turned right side out. Discernment is the path to ultimate salvation. Wisdom is the path of discernment. Humility is the flip side of wisdom.
Sometimes I get a fleeting sense that all the woes I feel now can & will be suddenly erased as if they had never existed. But my mind and ego can’t seem to hold onto that and be anchored in that sense for more than an fleeting moment of awareness.
Wow! I have had, recently, some interesting insights. I am never sure if they are awakenings, just a deeper understanding of life around me. I was sharing with a friend regarding my spiritual belief systems. I sent him to your website… Ego, is the cosmic joke! It trips me up in a heart beat. I try, with a lot of thought, to live in my true nature and with nature. Some days are great others are like walking with my eyes closed. I do recognize that I am more patient with myself than I have ever been. All do to you, Bramarishi. I also loved the sock reference. I have to talk to Gary after he reads this blog. He, more often than not, wears one sock right side out and one wrong side out. He may be delaying his own enlightenment….cosmic joke again.
Thank you Brahmarishi for the beautiful words and the reminder to listen for how my nature is requesting me to live. Thank you thank you thank you.
Wow! Beautiful blog, like a triple punch combination. Thanks!
Sin and salvation were such HOT topics in the small Tennessee town where I grew up. The “fire and brimstone” of hell was preached about in most churches, and it was quite common to be asked “Are you saved?” Especially if you didn’t seem… quite normal, to that worldview.
This blog is a sweet and cooling water to that tormenting worldview. Even if you were “saved” and on the “sure” path to heaven, it didn’t seem right to me to have the fiery depths below as a punishment to others for misbehavior, and as a threat to all. I can understand hell now as living in the mess we make for ourselves (karma), but that has an entirely different feel than a punitive God.
Thank you for articulating this truth, and for directly addressing such topics. The words make a bridge over a great chasm, and I don’t know how many can cross the entire way from one side to the other. Still, for those searching for bridge, it is a great salvation! And it helps to heal that chasm in each of us…
Jai Guru Dev.
If only (after a long check in the mirror) we could stand on a mountain top and and share this with the world. I am not completely sure..as of yet..why I tend to always want to (in some way) share your knowledge with so many others when I have life times of my own understanding to be obliverated. I guess it is just my nature. I would like to believe that my intension is derived simply from love and not the small ego. Regardless.. I am sure that the end result, which would be a world (or atleast a small community i.e.business) functioning with a much deeper sense of awareness, would not be a sinful thing!
Thank you for your tireless efforts to move mankind forward
As a sinner I am finding living my own true nature is pretty hard to follow when my own true nature is a slowy evolving mystery. Your words have given me hint as to the length and complication of my path of evolution. For me, your words also require deepr contemplation and the comtemplation helps with insights into my own true nature. Beautiful.
Thank you for sharing the knowlege.
I enjoyed all of your comments. Lori’s “to follow when my own true nature is a slowy evolving mystery” is important for everyone to understand. You can not derive or figure out your own true nature. It is only that you evolve to live a life more and more in alignment with it. It is found not in your mind, but in your heart, even beyond the emotional heart, but in the heart of your being. From there, it wells up through the emotions and then the mind.
Marianne. remember that the woes you feel are simply the harsh voice of societies confused world view imposing itself upon you. Like frost at daybreak, it will simply melt away into nothingness. The truth of your divinity is there, palpable within your heart. Always look to that. It inspires you to continue onward in your journey toward the Sun.