Concepts of God

Concepts of God 

By Jimmy Henderson (MA Psychology) FRC

We only need to look around us at the many different religions and sects to understand that people experience and understand spirituality in different ways. Most of us have adopted our beliefs from our parents, and in this way, have been inducted into a religion which is often prescribed by our background, society and culture.

I personally believe that these beliefs are all useful as long as they provide us with the opportunities, guidance and direction with which to arrive at a workable and fulfilling spiritual experience which we can call our own. Unfortunately, many persons remain within a belief system that does not actually meet their spiritual needs, out of fear or convention. Some of these systems can be inflexible and closed to new ideas and can become fertile breeding grounds for the shadows of delusion or self-righteousness.

However, a sudden traumatic experience which produces shock, pain and isolation can shatter such rigid frameworks, opening us to a broader understanding of spirituality which makes more sense. For instance, through my own questioning, I eventually came to believe that the many concepts of God which exist in the world today are actually describing the same spiritual reality, but are merely molded differently by specific cultures, historical periods and the personal interpretations of religious leaders. For example, during ancient times when people were ruled by fearful, angry and vengeful monarchs, their view of God was likewise one of a wrathful, vengeful and cruel king. However, in line with our present moral advancement, those who have experienced love in their hearts, have now come to understand the Father to be benevolent and loving.

We therefore need to acknowledge the role that our own minds play in our perception and understanding, and remain open to a more inclusive approach to spirituality. What we have at this time are only ‘peepholes’ into the universal fabric of reality, and ultimately, we also need to understand that spirituality is both a personal and a universal experience and cannot be confined by man’s thinking to any specific religion or belief system.

I will make use of an analogy to explain this great truth. If I give a very large puzzle to a group of small children, it is unlikely, due to their lack of maturity, experience and reasoning abilities, that the puzzle will ever be completed. However, if I split up the puzzle into much smaller sections and give each child a portion to complete on his or her own, be it a corner, a border or a certain patch of colour, each will most likely be successful in correctly assembling this small piece, and the completed pieces can then be grouped together and the whole puzzle will take form.

If we apply this analogy to the paradox of conflicting religious beliefs, it suggests that, even within the completed sections there are still parts missing, pieces of the puzzle that could enable the different groups to see their interdependence and relationship to each other. These missing pieces give rise to the confusion and contradictions that we see in religion today. Once we accept this, it will be easier to be more tolerant of the beliefs of others. 

Adapted from the e-book 'Living on the Edge of Darkness'  by Jimmy Henderson 

http://www.amazon.com/Living-Edge-Darkness-Jimmy-Henderson-ebook/dp/B00L73YJG0/ref=sr_1_13?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1437170591&sr=1-13&keywords=jimmy+henderson

Jimmy is a cognitive researcher and metaphysician who is the published author of a number of books on the power of the mind. His books are available through his website www.jimmyhendersonbooks.com or directly from him at jimmy@jimmyhendersonbooks.com