Wednesday, March 5, 2014

AN ACTUAL MEDITATION

Collection, John Thonrton.  Maine Farmhouse, By Douglas Ferrin 1985  Oil on panel 12" X 16"

A number of people have signed onto this site from India, Japan, and other eastern countries, I believe in the expectation that it is actually a thoughtful, meditation site, and not a grudge and humor site.  Here, then, is what I believe at the bottom of my heart; perhaps this is something for people to meditate on, perhaps not.  

My Grandparents were Quakers, I was raised liberal Episcopalian - I don't mind women Priests and gay Bishops -but I am a Christian - we were taught tolerance above all; I married a Jew and I have two Jewish children (who I love more than anyone on Earth) and who, irritatingly enough, tend to dismiss my beliefs:  I believe in proselytization by example, as did my Grandfather (who did Quaker missionary work in Mexico - in other words, doing work with people silently; he would talk, but only about God when people asked).  I believe in the Resurrection, Prophecies fulfilled and the blood of Christ.  However, what follows, I think, is somewhat more universal and constitutes the meditation.


What I believe.

There are no ethics to be found in nature alone:
Nothing of difference can come from an indifferent universe.
Without pain we could not discern good.
Men create evil.
We all die.
We all have been alive since the beginning.
Ultimately, there is only despair without God, or whatever name you give to what gives us life.


This thinking has kept me alive and sane for my entire adult life.