Are we striving for the same goal?

KnowSelf

KnowSelf

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I grew up in the Christian faith and I became aware in 2005. Since that time I've learned about self and my relationship to God. Although Baptist explicitly denies the possibility of any other religion or faith other than itself to be accepted into heaven after death, I cannot prove this is true or otherwise.

Like Grand Meister Elkhart, I am connected to God as God is to me. There is a constant outpouring of God's presence and spirit in me always and unending. Therefore with God's presence in me I am able to have a discerning view of other belief systems without compromising my own beliefs.

My question is are we all striving for the same level of awareness spiritual or otherwise?
 
Striving? I don't know.

More like G!D created a vortex, a whirlpool, to me. We are all swirling down the drain, whether we choose to fight it, or seek it, the end is the same....our awareness of our oneness, our eachness of the allness is inevitable.
 
I agree, whether we choose to fight it, or seek it, it is all the same. Perhaps my personal quest has been in the context of striving toward. Thank you clarifying
 
I think that is the first time any of my posts have ever been identified as clarifying!

I usually get accused of confusing the issue. But I believe this has nothing to do with the validity or succinctness of my thought, but rather an indication of the perception and decorum level of the observer.
 
I had to look up "succinctness? You got me, an observance or requirement of polite society. However, I appreciate your insightfulness.
 
KnowSelf said:
My question is are we all striving for the same level of awareness spiritual or otherwise?
Click to expand...

You became aware of God.

I became aware of no god.

On some mystical level, this might be the same awareness. On every other level, I am sure this awareness will not be understood of as equivalent.
 
Yeah, true... I know a few more verses:

"When this is, that is.
With the arising of this, that arises.
When this is not, that is not.
With the cessation of this, that ceases."
 
I'm not so sure if everyone is striving for awareness - many seem to be striving for "Heaven", and the word "awareness" isn't ever used.

Some seem to be striving peace, hope, freedom from depression or simply worldly comfort.

Some strive to be or become "God" - that certainly isn't the same as what I'm striving for.

I could redefine their striving for Heaven as a striving for awareness, but that wouldn't necessarily make it true for all.
 
Don't mean to sound presumptuous, but now that I am here what is left to work for besides living everyday? In my youth I caught a glimpse of awareness but I lost myself to mental illness. 34 years later i had a spiritual encounter that helped me put my life together. My whole life I worked hard to make sense of things and now that I understand I don't know what to do with myself. There is no shiny brass ring to grab for.
 
(facetious voice on} Well, that is the shadow side of the protestant work ethic for you, right there... {facetious voice off}

I would imagine that there are plenty of things still to be understood and learned. Striving to be a decent person in this complex world, is a favorite challenge of mine. And it goes far deeper than "living everyday life" would make it sound like.

Love God and love you neighbor. This being the summary of the duties, exercises, commandments, precepts, laws, brass rings, whatever you want to call them.
 
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KnowSelf said:
Don't mean to sound presumptuous, but now that I am here what is left to work for besides living everyday?
...
My whole life I worked hard to make sense of things and now that I understand I don't know what to do with myself. There is no shiny brass ring to grab for.
Click to expand...

I think you'll find that none of us "understand" on a macro level..
G-d is infinite.

If all the trees were pens,
and all the oceans ink, with seven more besides,
the words of your Lord would not be exhausted
Al Qur'an
 
It's hard for me wrap mind around similarities/differences of conscious awareness. Does equality exist? Why, Why not?
 
KnowSelf said:
Does equality exist? Why, Why not?
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Hello there!
I've noticed that you ask very big open-ended questions that can be answered in a multitude of ways. If you feel lost and overwhelmed right now, my I suggest that you break these questions down. Making them more concrete and manageable.

The way my mind work: Does equality exist? The concept exists in our collective consciousness. It exists to differentiate between the equal and the unequal. It expresses itself in the rule and law of our societies to be achieved and upheld. Does it exist between two different groups? It might depend on what you are measuring and comparing. Does equality exist in a spiritual level? You have to look in your theology and in your heart for that one.

All the best to you.
 
I do not believe that equality and inequality are illusions - I believe both are realities of existence.
 
When I asked does equality exist, the purpose of my questions was in exploration of the potential for enlightenment for everybody? If so it seems only a few attain what i understand as enlightenment? Seriously thank you for your kindness and concern, I am curious if all people are potentially the same.
 
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