2001-4-12 20:01:00
The question presently under consideration is:
"Name the three main obstacles that keep us from becoming one with God?"
Even though your answers gave more than three obstacles, they were all steps in the right direction which would be beneficial for the disciple to follow. Thanks Larry for covering the answers and yes, in the overall scheme of things maya, glamour and illusion would seem to be the most correct answer. In fact any answer we could come up with would be included in one of these categories.
Even so, let us look at three categories which the average seeker can work on in practical terms in his state of present progress.
Category One:
The scripture wisely says:
"If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?" (1 John 4:20)
We could slightly alter the words here and yet retain a principle just as true:
"He who is not one with his brother who he has seen cannot claim to be one with God who he has not seen."
If God is indeed in man (meaning, of course, both men and women) then it is the height of hypocrisy to remove yourself from human contact in order to become one with God as some supposed sages have done. That is like saying "I am going away from God to find God."
Many there are who teach oneness with God yet fail to have a relationship with even one human, out of billions available, where a semblance of oneness is demonstrated.
Let me clue in those caught in this illusion to an important truth. To those centered in the personality, the yielding of the little will of man to the Will of God is much more difficult than it is to yield to a belligerent spouse, am unjust boss or a confrontational political leader.
To become one with our brothers and sisters does not mean, however, to support their error at the expense of our own truth, but to look upon their souls and from that point of oneness maintain an attitude of unity to the personality level wherever the opportunity presents itself.
To create oneness with fellow humans the trinity of maya, glamour and illusion must be surmounted. In a word these are the obstacles:
Category Two:
Paul urged us to: "Believe all things." (1 Cor 13:7) Without belief a first step toward oneness will never be taken.
If one has a believing spirit this does not mean the person is gullible, but when a teaching is presented to him, no matter how outrageous, he will approach it with a believing attitude first and then filter it, with an open mind, through his perceptions and inner knowing.
If because of preconceived notions one automatically writes off a teaching or statement as being untrue, then he will miss many truths that will lead to the soul and oneness with God and man.
Category Three:
If you seem to love your fellow man and have a believing spirit, but fail to act then progression comes to a standstill. Then too if you act, but because of the praise of the world you act contrary to what you know then retrogression sets in.
Seek to be one in the soul with your brothers and sisters, be believing and act on what you truly think and believe, and a major step toward oneness with God is at hand.
Copyright © 2001 by J.J. Dewey, All Rights Reserved