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| SEPARATED FROM THE WORLD, by Gail Gupton |
| After a brief, but meaningful,
conversation about God with a Christian neighbor, she asked, "What church do you go
to?" I told her I had no need for church anymore, that no church had taught me what I
had come to understand through silent meditation. She replied, "But what about fellowship?" I smiled inside, gave her a polite answer and went along my way. My fellowship is within, silently, with God. I know of no church picnics, bingo parties, bus tours, or gospel songs that feed one with the hunger for spirituality. When one puts more emphasis on people, places, and things than on spiritual realization, one will never arrive past the problems of the world and into a realm of freedom. Over and over through the centuries, people have thought there is only one right place to worship and if one didn't attend some community church or temple, that person must be an atheist or a sinner. The purpose of any religion or religious activity should be to liberate mankind from the bonds of humanhood. Not from humanity itself, but from the bonds that keep one in captivity - mental, emotional, physical, financial. One can tell how spiritual a church or organization is by the comments that come forth from its members. Watching television not too long ago, we were listening to a well-known author and church leader telling the audience that his whole message is about "the family". What is spiritual about that? Humanly it's wonderful that one would be concerned for family issues in today's society, but how does this advance a congregation spiritually? A nearby church has written on its roadside marquee, "Only God is in a position to look down on people". Although I find this fine psychologically, what is spiritual about this statement that it reflects the teachings of this church? Another church has on its lawn sign, "If you want to avoid trouble with God, stay off His throne." Spiritual teaching? Spiritual enlightenment? If this is what the world has to offer, I prefer to separate myself. This doesn't mean I have no communication or activities with others. Things and relationships are the "fruits" of a spiritual consciousness and are drawn unto one accordingly. Separating oneself from the cares and woes of the world's activities leaves one with an inner stillness of peace and tranquility, knowing God is in control. With the realization that God is ALLness, there is no need to act or re-act to world situations, people problems, financial fears, health concerns, relationship strife's. In so doing, one may seem uncaring to others. In my own experience, I've heard statements such as "You aren't the same person I used to know". An evolving spiritual consciousness takes one away from the world while still in it. It can happen gradually or immediately. The website, Beyond Prayer and Meditation, gets many people who state they seem isolated from family and friends - that they have nothing in common with those of lesser spirituality - and, that nothing is more important to them than continuing their path. This is just as natural as shedding an old pair of comfortable and familiar shoes one has outgrown. It doesn't mean one doesn't like nice shoes, only that it's time to wear something that fits. Jesus could never have become the Christian idol had he remained a carpenter or a rabbi. The Christ within has to be recognized. Jesus communed with God away from the crowds and busy-ness of his day. He took no one with him to the mountaintop. News programs have been airing stories about priests and rabbis who have faltered from their religious teachings. So, even men "of the cloth" are not necessarily spiritual people. It is in the spiritual understanding of the message of Christ, Buddha, Mohammed that God is I AM - that God is the only power, the only presence, the only activity, the only intelligence - that one can be separated from the "world". "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord . . . " (2 Cor. 6:17) All is well. |
