Ignorance of God

"The most basic illness that the holy elders talk about," Father Maximos began, "is ignorance. In their language, however, ignorance does not mean a lack of the right kind of information or the right kind of intellectual knowledge. What they really mean is the heart's ignorance of God. And this lack of direct experience of God renders human beings incapable of knowing what it means to be apart from God. Consequently, they are not conscious of how abysmal their deprivation and predicament is." p.53

Markides, Kyriacos, The Mountain Of Silence

Having read the passage above in Markides' wonderful book leaves me thinking that it is the ignorance of God which leads people into alcohol, drug, food, sex, shopping, gambling, and work addictions. They are striving to fill up the "hole in their soul".

Unfortunately, Protestants don't have the rich monastic tradition which the Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox do and so the quest for Theosis, becoming one with God, has been lost. Buddhism has a rich and deep tradition of meditation and becoming one with the universe although strictly speaking Buddhism is athesistic and yet there is the recognition of the ground of our existence and although Buddhists don't believe in a personal deity like some Christians do there is a recognition of a transcendent experience worth pursuing and cultivating in one's being which they all enlightenment while Christians call it salvation.

At any rate, it is interesting that Unitarian Universalists, if they want a richer, deeper spiritual life have to go outside of their own tradition. Having said that, I am inspired by the work of Boston Unitarian and James Ford to offer a deeper spiritual experience to Unitarian Universalists who are seeking it. Many thanks to them for their excellent work.

Why should we forgive? Rev. Scott Tayler has some good ideas about the question

Stuck On The Stoop: When Hurtful Memories Just Won't Go Away, a sermon by Rev. Scott Tayler, Co- Pastor of First Unitarian Church in Rochester, NY, given on 11/15/09 is well worth listening to.

It is a sermon on forgiveness.

Why should we forgive? To make things right with the offender? No says Rev. Taylor.

To make things right for ourselves? Yes says Scott.

We should let go of our anger because this day has so many other things to give us.

Don't be a monkey, says Scott. To understand what he means listen to the sermon. It's worth it.

Martin Luther King sings on Monkey Mind

Rev. James Ford has a great blog, Monkey Mind. I read it daily and highly recommend it. On Saturday, 12/05/09, he posted an outstanding video which is entitled "Martin Luther King sings". You can access it by clicking here.

Critical success factors for UU churches

Michael Durall, a church organizational consultant, has a new blog called Ten Minutes or Less. I became a fan of Michael's when I read his book, The Almost Church, and I liked it so much I stole one of his key ideas for the title lf this blog, "A Way Of Life."

He has an article on the blog entitled "Focus On What Is Important". He mentions 3 things that he sees as critical to success: High quality worship services especially good music, providing money to local charities regularly, and devoting 10% of the budget to mission and outreach.

I think there is another factor which is the provision of a meaningful rich, and deep spiritual life which helps people transform themselves, their families, their communities, and the world. The other factors which he names are good P.R., but good P.R. alone doesn't build a world class religion. There has to be something more substantive than that. I think Michael knows that having read his book so I am guessing it is an oversight that he left it out.

I have no idea however what he thinks. I am only guessing. And it is presumptuous to put words in his mouth so I will take responsibility for this last critical factor.

Unitarian Universalism is a superficial and saccarhine faith which requires little from its adherents other than good manners and etiquette and a fair amount of tolerance and courtesy. But beyond that congregants are left pretty much on their own to search usually other traditions for more meaning and spiritual edification.

His article is worth reading and it will take you 2 minutes. To access it click here.