Guest guest Posted February 18, 2001 Report Share Posted February 18, 2001 I wanted to introduce you today to Robert Ryder who has written an essay called "A Spiritual Seeker." Robert is a retired Biologist/RN and is now part of a small unique group, in SW Missouri, called Oneness Center, that studies comparative religion and mysticism. On his way to Vietnam (68-70), Robert was given three books on Eastern Philosophy at the airport, Gita, Upanishad, and Dhammapada. Robert has seen much in his life and studied and practiced and one can see the distillation of his life experiences in the powerful, beautiful, and eloquent essay, "A Spiritual Seeker" which can be read at the HS Magazine and website. Robert writes: "If you cannot find God in your own backyard, it is not likely you will find God along the Jordan, the Ganges or the Nile; nor will you find Her in the flower or a smile. We must be living expressions of truth, not fossilizing custodians of ancient theosophy. The spiritual seeker knows that life is being moved by powerful unseen forces. At times traditional beliefs and dogma are insufficient. Recasting old ideas and collecting knowledge is not synonymous with spiritual experience. It may serve to activate our interest but it does not provide an inner awareness. There is no set course of instruction which, after completing, we receive an S.D. ("Saint's Degree") or an M.D. ("Mystic's Degree"). Each of us has a unique past to draw from and each is drawn to and responds to certain practices in our own unique and individual way. Individual differences are neither better nor worse, just different. To compare one's self with others is to forget the uniqueness of your own journey." Robert also shared from the quotes from Sengstan at : /join By Sengtsan... The Way is perfect like vast space where nothing is lacking and nothing is in excess. Indeed, it is due to our choosing to accept or reject that we do not see the true nature of things. Live neither in the entanglements of outer things, nor in inner feelings of emptiness. Be serene in the oneness of things and such erroneous views will disappear by themselves. when you try to stop activity to achieve passivity your very effort fills you with activity. As long as you remain in one extreme or the other you will never know Oneness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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