Its no accident that we have all heard ,” We don’t talk politics or religion !” The two most consequential topics of life and we shouldn’t speak of them? Absolutely absurd. You might as well say “ I know everything and don’t need to try and learn anything new”. These two topics are fundamentally intertwined and to forge a civilization without them is impossible. One leads to a foundation of understanding from which the other can be managed with true wisdom. As a young boy I first began to ponder the meaning of Life. What does it mean to be alive? Why am I here ? Very heady questions for a child. If after all we do is die at the conclusion of our journey what’s the point? Nothing matters. This is Nihilism. As I found out, this is a most destructive mindset for going thru life and leads to nothing but pain and suffering. You will reap what you sew. On the other hand, it spurs one on to find meaning. It is certainly true if you seek you will find. At that age I didn’t realize I had stumbled across the deepest question mankind has ever had and that this one topic has been used, more than any other, for the manipulation of mankind throughout recorded history. Every thinking person has reflected on this question and has been ripe for guidance on the matter. I would like to share that throughout my life I've had a pretty good understanding of how precious our American form of government is. That we truly are all created equal, (not social constructs). Bound by fundamental realities of being. Not least of these which is our mortality. No one person, whether they be mega wealthy, politically powerful or a member of an aristocracy is any more or less important than the average man or woman. We are all bound to the immutable laws of nature and that an acknowledgement of being “created” is key to understanding our rights as human beings. To be more precise, our lives are but expressions, and as such, are simply a revealing of aspects of our nature. These are: our freewill (not instinct), self-awareness, feeling emotion, (love being the most powerful) and a reasoning mind. These were not bestowed upon us by the government or any other institution. They are embedded in our nature. Having freewill also means we are susceptible to committing deeds of selfishness, cruelty and general acts of evil, which are outside the parameters of nature and are uniquely human. When these lessor aspects to our nature are not tempered by conscience (a code of morals) and kept in check, when ego is the only motivating quality, a very predictable outcome of unimaginable horrors and human suffering is a most likely and common result. i.e. The rise of tyrants and systems of totalitarianism!

           Along with the recognition of the nature of our humanity, there are very important words that we must acquaint ourselves with if we are to begin on a path of true understanding, free from all superstition and ritualistic dogma. As a matter of fact, if one hopes to ever attain true peace of mind, with a life of purpose and prosperity, filled with love, then the price must be paid. Not with physical toil or even the mental problem solving one would do in solving an algebraic equation. No, the price I speak of, is the daily habit of contemplation, the deepest form of prayer. In so doing we build a foundation. Foundation can be likened to the starting point of a long journey, with a specific destination in mind. When one strikes out he/she has a choice. Shall I go right or left? If you choose wrongly then every choice thereafter is wrong. On the path to enlightenment having a foundation (starting point) based on truth is an absolute necessity. What is the Truth? Ahh, this the deepest of all inquiries. Well first of all, in the seeking of Truth it is something you have to do for yourself, no one else can give anther understanding. You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make him drink is another way to say it. I can share briefly some observations and definitions that may help give you clarity in this matter. Let’s start with the word Real. What is real? Is this desk at which I type, real. Most would say yes of course. But this is wrong. For something to be called Real, it must be eternal. This desk is certainly not eternal, nor is anything in this world, for it all becomes corrupted and decays over time, doesn’t it. Everything we see will eventually cease to exist, everything. What is real never changes or, and here’s our next key word, is Principle. A principle is meant to describe just this, something which never changes. A couple examples; 2+2=4 or that, water will ALWAYS seek its own level. These are examples of principles. And guess what, this Life we are living now is Principle also. Life is not that what you see in the mirror, Life is the power which caused it. Every effect, as an immutable law of nature is forever bound to cause. It is an example of the principle of duality. We can witness this Truth in nature all around us. There is night and day, there is up and down, positive – negative, hot- cold, female- male, emotion v.s.  reason and to me the greatest example of duality is that of cause and effect. This brings us to our next key word and that word is “substance”. Now substance is defined as,” that which underlies that which is”. It is rooted in the causative side of cause and effect. This is the only thing that can be described as “Real” , for it is eternal and it is SPIRIT by definition! So, when we see and touch, and our senses are aware of ourselves in this topsy turvy world, it is essential that we have that “foundation” of Understanding that I just mentioned. As freewill beings we must keep one foot grounded in Reality (Real), as not to let our imaginations convince us of all sorts of absurdities. It is self-evident that it is conscious awareness, through which we are perceiving Life, it is Real. It is the recognition that we as human beings are sacred and unique. That our freewill and self-awareness set us apart from the rest of the animal kingdom. Because of ignorance, people can become unmoored and set off to drift in matters of the Mind. As such, individual perception can override Truth(sin), resulting in a consciousness that views the world in an inverted way. This is the primary reason the nation is divided so equally. 50/50. The principle of duality on full display. Truth is, that without a foundation of understanding, there cannot be discernment of right and wrong, and sadly, that is where we find ourselves as a nation. There aren’t enough “seekers ".

        Power is another word we must recognize. If I asked you if the sun was powerful, everyone without question would answer, of course. Then why is not our life understood to represent Power? Aren’t we an expression just as the sun is? Isn’t everything in creation radiating its nature. The sun’s nature is to shine and ours is to express Life freely. As a matter of fact the name we give to things is meant to convey their particular nature. If these definitions and facts interest you and you want to learn more, then there is only one teacher to seek out. He is known as the Prince of Peace. Christ Jesus