What Would Your Religion Look Like?

It is an incomplete belief system that does not encompass the very concepts of its contradiction.--Strike a Chord of Silence**

Prayer for the Fallen By ~Brenda-Starr~ 

The definition of religion has picked up too much heavy baggage. I prefer the term “belief system.”


Otherwise it is only half a truth, constructed in fear of its own demise.

A belief system should be a nourisher of the believers, else it does not justify the intrusion on the silence. It should give to its adherents not its truth, but provide a sacred environment to realize their own truth.

A belief system is a tool to aid a person in producing a result. A belief system is person, relative to a time and need of the individual. A credible belief system is a living, progressing/changing, like the person it serves. 

Never can the tool be more important than the craftsperson.**

Too often religion is practiced in the absence of these things--a one size fits all attempt. In such improper practice, religion becomes the sarcophagus of a once living truth. In such hands, religion is the rigid remains of what was living and life imbuing, but has a monument to itself and its leaders.

Try not to take excessive offense when confronted with another’s beliefs that you cannot abide. We re are often introduced to our own beliefs by defining their conflicts with something we disagree.**

If you could design a religion, what would it look like?

Truth is but a resting place until the next revelation **

Words do not contain truth, but may reflect the truth that you hold within.
This is my truth. Only you can determine if there is any value in it for you.

C.G. Walters primarily writes fiction that focuses on the multidimensionality of our loves and our lives. His current novel, Sacred Vow is a metaphysical novel about a man who responds to the mysterious call of [his soulmate], opening the way to redefinition of both himself and his understanding of the world around him…Highly recommended. —Midwest Book Review.

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**From Strike a Chord of Silence, in paperback or as Kindle for $.99 USD --free download of Kindle app allows reading on PC or mobile devices.

Sacred Vow  from your favorite brick and mortar, or online store (Amazon.com ) or purchase Sacred Vow as  the Amazon Kindle version


Celebrate What's Right in the World!
blessings and wonder, my friends...

Filled to the Brim

Meditation comes in infinite forms. The consistent element is an immersion (into the activity/inactivity) beyond thought, where we are in communion with self and Self--

CG Walters

Meditation at the Lake - B2 By h.koppdelaney

I can only be open by emptying out the clutter of distractions that I have periodically collected without noticing. When I am in this state, it seems my attention is scattered over my accumulation of mental/emotional trinkets that have magnetically attached themselves to me. I am unable to find my center. I am as a dancer out of balance, awkward, stumbling, likely to injure myself or others (in body, heart or spirit) if I continue that way.


Not surprisingly, in the times when I am unavailable to truly be open to others, I am also unavailable to be open to my authentic self.


An old story tells of an individual with a very busy mind going to talk with a teacher about Zen. The teacher listened intently and began to make tea as this fellow talked on about his thoughts, concerns, wishes, and imaginings. When the tea was ready, the master began to pour into her visitor's cup. Once the cup was full, she kept on pouring. Eventually, the fellow could watch no more and broke from his soliloquy to say: "Stop, stop! The cup is overfull. No more can go in!"


The teacher responded: "Like this cup, you are full of all manner of yourself. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?"


Oddly enough, it seems that most often the things I have so filled my attention with are not even things that I find that interesting—in fact much to the contrary—bills coming due, aggravations of the workday, things that have not gone as I planned, and dreams for the future. Each of these were things I needed to consider, but forgot to “put them down” once I had given them due consideration. Now and again, I am forced to realize the buildup, and do a thorough housecleaning—heart and mind—thinking the job is done—no need to concern myself with that for a while. However, without regular tidying/emptying, the next think I know the cup if full again and I am not taking in what anyone else is saying, not perceptive of the feelings of those around me (or myself).


For me, the best way of emptying my cup is either mediation or a walk in nature. Anything that will allow me to be completely passive will do it, allowing the clouds to come and go, without comment, concern, or contemplation—just a submissive lake beneath them, neither added to nor subtracted from by their reflection.


What helps you stay open?
What practices help you keep an open mind or stay open to the thoughts and feelings of others?




Words do not contain truth, but may reflect the truth that you hold within.
This is my truth. Only you can determine if there is any value in it for you.


C.G. Walters primarily writes fiction that focuses on the multidimensionality of our loves and our lives. His current novel, Sacred Vow is a metaphysical novel about a man who responds to the mysterious call of [his soulmate], opening the way to redefinition of both himself and his understanding of the world around him…Highly recommended. —Midwest Book Review.


Receive new editions of Into the Mist through a reader http://feeds.feedburner.com/IntoTheMist




Purchase a signed paperback copy from http://sacredvow.dragonsbeard.com/ – or buy from your favorite brick and mortar, or online store (Amazon.com ). Purchase Sacred Vow as  Amazon Kindle version

Wisdom and Knowledge (the best spiritual teacher)

Knowledge is the collection of information,

Wisdom, the understanding of knowledge.

Knowledge is the process of mind,

Wisdom, a process of the soul.

knowledge is the breadth,

Wisdom is the depth.**

Wisdom - Diamond Light  by h.koppdelaney

Words do not contain truth, but may reflect the truth that you hold within.
This is my truth. Only you can determine if there is any value in it for you.


**  Strike a Chord of Silence

A collection of selected maxims from Strike a Chord of Silence.

The backdrop is a walk up Locust Creek, Yancey County, NC, US this past
January.

If you are having trouble viewing the video, go to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOxZgn-wtc0




Entire text from Video:



Knowledge is the collection of information,
Wisdom, the understanding of knowledge.
Knowledge is the process of mind,
Wisdom, a process of the soul.
knowledge is the breadth,
Wisdom is the depth.


Define knowledge
and it will escape you.


One does not have to be
the possessor of wisdom
to convey it.


Wisdom is not diminished
by the presenter.


Contemplation is the process
by which knowledge
becomes wisdom.


The mind is the 
territory of knowledge.
The intuitive is the 
territory of Wisdom.


The best teacher does not
impart wisdom or learning,
But draws forth
the student's own wisdom.


There is no unlikely 
agent of wisdom,
Only those we are
least likely to recognize.


Who said wisdom was
an all or nothing proposition?



** from Strike a Chord of Silence, CG's  book of metaphysical maxims and essays.


Available in Kindle  ($.99 USD) and other eBook formats. International and US print sales, are available at  online bookstores and upon request from your local bookstore.

Blessings and joy to you today, dear ones,

Celebrate What's Right in the World!

CG Walters primarily writes fiction that focuses on the multidimensionality of our loves and our lives.

If you are enjoying the features of CG's blog, get future installments sent directly to your email or reader via RSS feed.

Helping Someone Overwhelmed with Bad News?

Scarcity of hope, not severity of fate, is the much-mourned ‘human condition’.--Strike Chord of Silence**

Hope Arriving By h.koppdelaney

This is more a “show me, don’t tell” solution. No amount of rationalization can resolve a problem of heart and spirit.

As within, so without.**

If you want to spread hope, you must exhibit within yourself. It’s like coming into a room filled with people whose mood was communally contrary to yours as you entered. Whether you stay in that room or not, most people will start to feel a shift in their state of mind, moving toward the collective attitude of the group.

You spread hope, joy, sense of self, etc. as you would a smile…by example. Even if no one initially responds, continue smiling. It can harm no one, and at very least is good for your own health and peace. Eventually, the smile will spread to those around you.

Hope is the companion of power, and mother of success; for who so hopes strongly has within [them] the gift of miracles.—Samuel Smiles

Another very important effort in bringing our world from its current malady is simply to acknowledge the value of every person you meet. Treat them with respect; listen to them. In respecting them (and yourself) treat them with kindness. This may not eliminate the bad news, but it makes the journey more pleasant for us all.

You project to the world around you what you hold within.
Peace within yourself is the cornerstone of peace in the world.**

This is my truth. Only you can determine if there is any value in it for you.

Celebrate What's Right in the World!!!!


** Strike a Chord of Silence in print or $.99 Kindle--free Kindle app for reading on PC, phones, etc.

C.G. Walters primarily writes fiction that focuses on the multidimensionality of our loves and our lives. His current novel, Sacred Vow is a metaphysical novel about a man who responds to the mysterious call of [his soulmate], opening the way to redefinition of both himself and his understanding of the world around him…Highly recommended. —Midwest Book Review.

Receive new editions of Into the Mist through a reader http://feeds.feedburner.com/IntoTheMist


Purchase a signed paperback copy from http://sacredvow.dragonsbeard.com/ – or buy from your favorite brick and mortar, or online store (Amazon.com ). Purchase Sacred Vow as Amazon Kindle version