that’s just the way it is
Jim October 11th, 2008
in the last few weeks Americans discovered the fragility of our economy and financial infrastructures. some were caught off guard and were surprised things could slide so fast. sometimes, things that appear rock solid on the outside are quite vulnerable at the core. the school bully appears frightening to everyone but the smallest confrontation could quite possibly call his bluff and expose his true weakness.
it got me wondering about the ego/flesh system set up in our world, and all the hate, injustice, despair, division, greed, suffering, disease, loneliness, dysfunction, poverty, emptiness, and destruction it produces. strangely enough it was Tupac’s remix of “That’s Just the Way It Is” that got me pondering all this.
is it true – “that’s just the way it is?” is it true – “some things never change?” should we be waiting for Jesus to come back and fix it?
or is it that we have bought into the ego/flesh propaganda, which makes the system look rock solid and unchangeable? but didn’t Jesus expose the truth that the system is actually quite weak and fragile at its core? the system played it’s best card – death, and Jesus trumped it, exposing the whole thing as a load of crock.
so, why don’t we stop believing the propaganda, and quit investing ourselves in that system? do we have to play by their rules – hate, greed, and pride? what would it mean to only invest ourselves in the kingdom of God? sure, you might look foolish in the eyes of some by doing so; so did Jesus.
maybe the system is closer to collapse than we think.
(photo by zoo gal)
- Pondering
- Comments(13)
Capitalism works fine. It always has, and always will. The problem is that when liberal politicians step in and try to force their social re-engineering agendas on the system, it makes business do stupid things they wouldn’t normally do (sub-prime mortgage loans). Capitalism (and society) requires unencumbered freedom to operate successfully. Sure, greed and corruption will raise their ugly heads from time to time, but the system has ways of dealing with that. The problem is, socialism can only exist in the absence of freedom, and unfortunately, that is where this nation is headed. We have become weak and lazy, and think government is the answer to “getting what we want”. And they are more than willing to promise “a better world” if we will just relinquish a little more of our freedom. But, the “little more” never actually comes until it is “all”.
Ben Franklin once said (paraphrased), “Those who would trade their freedom for security (safety), deserve neither.”
just to clarify…i was just using our economic system as an example of a larger point that what sometimes appears solid and unbreakable can actually be weak and a just a few circumstances away from collapse. you may think capitalism is the best economic system, you may think it is the worst economic system but what i meant in referring to the ego/flesh system…was anything and everything that is contrary to what’s real or truth. for example, it could appear that hate is the most potent power on earth. but maybe it’s love. testing the theory would mean being love without exception. perhaps doing so would cause the system of hate to collapse. it doesn’t seem that both can be true simultaneously – if i am being love at 5:35 on saturday evening, i can’t also be acting in hate at 5:35.
I’m at a loss to know what to do to help you (ex) Christians? You are so frustrating and you just keep going around in circles. You step out a little but then it’s not long before you chicken out and put yourselves back into the same old jailhouse again. You climb into each other’s heads and discuss worldly stuff that focus’s on the external that has no place in the kingdom. Some of you are the most enlightened Christians I have met but getting you to move on is like trying to drag a donkey up a hill. What are you frightened of? You are aware that it is all in you so what are you waiting for? You must open up your hearts and minds and go deeper. “Metanoia” you silly clots!
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You people have been so solidly taught to focus on the “outer” and the importance of a show of “good works” that you have created your own false heaven and earth syndrome within the parameters of the “conceptual – ego-fleshy mind thinking” region. It’s in the wrong realm and to do this you have to continually bypass your deepest feelings (the spirit of truth) so you can’t get yourselves out of it. This thinking makes for a very self-centered and defensive – competitive – my God is better than your God sort of attitude. It forces you to live by trying to earn your own righteousness.
Jim is right to question the fragility of the “systems” that have originated from the thinking of what he terms the ego – flesh. You have all heard that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom (authority) of heaven. That is dead right and any thinking that comes from that mindset has no place in it. It can’t even see the door! So any physical systems we have built from these flesh and blood “philosophical belief” systems will eventually completely collapse. There is nothing real holding them up – simply a few flesh and blood thoughts – really just wishful thinking! Bruce you must be kidding where you say, “Capitalism works fine. It always has, and always will.” Where do you think capitalism originated from – Heaven? Don’t worry your socialism is no better. It’s for the chopping block along with all our other flesh and blood concepts. Religion and gods in the sky are among that lot too!
Our world is on the brink of a major disaster. I’m not sure how bad it’s going to get at this point in time but if the present slide doesn’t bottom out within the very near future the fear and panic gripping everyone will tip it right over anyway. I hope that will not happen until things are set in place to rescue the human race but a major world collapse will be coming in the very near future for sure. I understand that nearly half the world population earns little more than a dollar a day and we could be joining them very shortly! How do you think you will be able handle that with your wimpy little belief systems?
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OK let’s get to the guts of things because this is serious and you guys are the ones who have been called to save the world and it’s going to take more than a few warm fuzzies to get us out of this lot when things really turn sour. The mental and psychological turmoil across the planet will be nothing short of chaotic. There will be NO answers from the wisdom of the world (flesh and blood) but the fact is, you people happen to be sitting on what the world needs and if they find out that this is the case then they are going to be highly pissed off if you don’t do something about it. They need you! You’ve been trying to save the world every other way and tell everyone where they are going wrong, well how about doing it the way you have been designed to operate? It will be far easier that way and by now you should know what that is? You have to birth the Messiah!
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There is more to this than going around loving people, that’s only half the story but at least you have identified that! That’s “Love” the Father, which I have heard some of you admit but you have to link in another couple of factors to make it work to get you out of your jailhouse before you are of much use to anyone. Here it is, now listen up – deep inside you – it’s all in there. I’ll try and trigger it within you.
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Jesus, when referring to his return, (literally “presence”) called himself the “son of man”. That meant the “son of oneself”. We are actually re-born, in his nature and all that goes with it, from out of ourselves and I think some of you are getting a feel for that? Jesus claimed his father was “David”. David lived about 1000 years before Jesus even walked the land of Galilee. So what did he mean? “David” means “beloved” or “loving”. This is what you are experiencing – that love – but the purpose of this is far more than for you to go off on your own little trip of love and freedom etc and boast how good it is. That’s just the beginning and apart from other things it is our Father drawing us. This love we experience is the “Father” of the messiah that will be birthed through us. However for this to occur it requires a “mother” and that happens to be, believe it or not, “Mary”! They MUST mate and the baby (the lamb) is “conceived” through the power of the spirit. “Mary” from the Hebrew “Marion” is not the sweet gentle one we see portrayed on Xmas cards. No sir! Mary means “bitter rebellion” and for you to conceive that’s exactly what you are going to have to do. We provide the “mother” of the messiah and that is done simply through a change in our mindset.
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You have heard that if we remain friends of the world we are an enemy of God!
“You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world (cosmos – our organized systems) is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God”.
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“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood”.
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I think I have said enough for now but you do need to understand that there is no way that you will get yourselves out of the power of your “flesh and blood” realm until you turn against your ego/worldly thinking mind. This does not mean getting out there and kicking to death all the physical systems we’ve created or arguing that this political system is better than that political system etc. No not at all, they will all come down in their own time. We simply turn (true “metanoia” repentance) and that, through the spirit, will reveal to you the stupidity of this world that you have bonded yourself to and put your trust in. You have been called to save the world and that is an amazingly high honor. Don’t throw it away. It’s all laid out for you and you will find it far more natural that what you could have ever dreamt. The world is waiting, and none too soon either. The harvest fields are white.
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If anyone is open to a deeper understanding, then please say so and I’ll try and help you. It just requires an open heart. I’m sorry I had to be so direct but the time for playing around is nearly over. We have a very sick world with millions of hurting people that need your assistance. You will have the power to do this, and way above any left or right wing governments. They will be coming to you!
Jim & Brian NZ,
Jim, thanks so much for doing this post! The frailty of our worldly systems is staring us right in the face. Are we going to succumb to the fear and panic that’s spreading around the world (do to the global economic crisis)? We’re being shown that ego/flesh systems can be corrupted by hate, greed and pride and they’ll never ultimately work because they are built on shaky ground. We’ve seen this over and over again throughout history.
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Brian NZ….Thank you so much! Right on!!! What’s it going take to ‘get our attention’ and stop putting our focus on the wrong things?! We must wake up because things in this physical world are moving so fast. I love Zoo Gal’s photo because some mornings when I get up and switch on the TV and watch the news that’s exactly what I want to do…pull a knit cap down over my face! Then I come to my senses.
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But IMHO, I see that this is a huge opportunity to ‘go deeper’ into metanoia, learn exactly what that means and then apply it to our lives in this mixed-up ole’ world? Immanuel means ‘God with us’ and that’s exactly what we have as we open our Hearts to Him! The kingdom of God is here, right now, inside of us! We must tend IT like a garden. Metanoia, indeed! What a golden opportunity! Now, how do we proceed, Brian?
jane, that was what i was hoping to generate conversation about on this post. namely that the change/”repentance”/metanoia” Jesus invited is often hindered because the illusion of the system’s dominance has sway on us.
it’s like a vicious cycle…
1. it appears nothing ever changes
2. therefore we conclude, nothing is capable of changing
3. so, nothing ever changes
4. we continue on participating in the system
1. it appears nothing ever changes
2. therefore,…
3.
4.
1.
2.
3.
4,
and on and on and on…
so my question is…what would it mean to STOP participating in THAT system, and to instead only live in the real? if we did, perhaps the illusion of the system’s dominave would be exposed for all to see.
Hi Jim,
Yes, I agree. Sorry, I didn’t go far enough in my previous post. In my view, ‘what would it mean to stop participating in that system, and to instead only live in the real’…means knowing what the ‘culture’ of the kingdom is that I am a member of. Then I will portray my allegiance to that kingdom through what I say and do.
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To me, here are a few tenets of that kingdom or as you put it ‘living in the real’:
-First, know that God is my Source and I’m always connected.
-Start from peace, not make it my goal.
-See people for who they really are, not what they present to the world, and that they are from the same Source.
-Look at the inner person, not the outer, and meet them there, if they are willing.
-Be in the present moment, as much as possible.
-Be watchful so that my mind doesn’t deceive me and I get tangled back up in believing in the power of the world’s systems.
-Go deeper within each day, and listen to His voice.
-Ask my self each day, ‘what is written within my Heart’? What am I feeling, not just thinking?
-Being open to adopt a willing child-like, trusting mind.
-Speaking from my Heart and encouraging others to do the same.
That’s just a start. Anyone else have something they’d like to add?
thank you Jane! that’s the sort of conversation i was hoping to get going. honestly, sometimes it feels like pulling teeth to get people to get out of all the heady/conceptual stuff, and just talk plainly and simply about living in the real along the everyday paths of our lives. i don’t mean to sit in judgment of others, and count myself as one of those who can be easily swept into the heady stuff if i let myself.
i feel sometimes like there’s this huge gap between on the one side, everything we say it’s not, and on the other side, everything we say in theory that one day it will/should be. seems like the empty gap in the middle is simply learning to live in the real right now today among all the realities of our everyday world. it’s not always perfect…we put one foot in front of the other day by day, moment by moment in the real…if we all did this…even in baby steps, i wonder if the illusion of everything else would become clear.
Jim,
I totally agree with you! In my view, if we’d open our Hearts we’d find that the ‘illusion of everything else would become clear’. I DO think we live in two worlds though (physical and spirit) and maybe that’s where all the confusion comes from. But, the Truth is so simple and pure and it’s right under our noses! I’m taking baby steps in this new proces too, but I KNOW when I’m coming from that Source and it’s sweet indeed.
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IMHO, I think we, in the western world, over-think things way too much and that can be our stumbling block. To unveil more of the tenets of this kingdom or ‘living in the real’, maybe the first baby step others can take it just to simply get out of your mind and into your Heart and trust the process that will naturally unfold. Okay…I’ll shut up now for awhile ’cause I feel like I’ve been hogging the conversation lately. I just love this topic though!
jane, don’t feel like you are “hogging the conversation.” also, a lot of folks come to follow the conversation even if they don’t actually comment.
what i discovered for myself is that there’s a very fine line between theoretical/conceptual and experiential/expression. it seems there is some part of me that is satisfied by holding something as a concept in my mind, and embracing and communicating the concept with language. once my mind understands an idea, and i’m capable of putting it into my own language, something in me waves the checkered flag – Victory!
for example, my mind it sufficiently convinced it understands “following your feelings” and “living in the real.” i have learned to articulate these phrases and the ideas behind them. therefore, this part of me says, “you get it Jim!”
but for me the real question is, am i living in the real as i wake up, begin my day, as i swim, bike and run, as i write, as i encounter the people and circumstances of my life, and as i live in my neighborhood and city, etc…am i listening to and following my feelings as i go, and living the list of things you mentioned in your comment along the everyday paths of life? not that this stuff becomes a check-list, but it’s something we actually live/experience as opposed to some idealistic and theoretical spirituality that just sounds good on paper.
It is so true. The world’s problems cannot be fixed, no matter how good our intentions, because our ‘good intentions’ are in the same realm as all the hate and bitterness that we despise. We are not of this world, so breaking free is essential, and as Brian says, that entails rebelling against it and through metanoia learn to speak out from the feeling in our hearts. We don’t have to get the understanding first. That will come as we speak from the feeling. It’s recognizing the feeling, trusting it, and saying whatever we feel in that moment.
You guys are uncovering some good stuff but above all I see you have a heartfelt desire to connect with the real and to ”live” from there. You want to be able to experience that reality so you can confidently follow your “feelings”’ (as Jim puts it) and be like a little child (as Jane puts it) but above all KNOW, THAT WITHOUT A SHADOW OF A DOUBT, you are being faithfully guided. You have a right to demand this. Most of us have spent a good part of our lives trying to do what is right but really flying blind. We can sense that something good is pretty close and we now want results – and fair enough. You are now aware of two distinct realms but a little unsure how to proceed. You are “seeing” or sensing the kingdom but to fully enter into that reality (that is “Christ being formed in you”) a little thing has to happen with us. I’ll try and explain and it should help your confidence, which could start the rebellion that is necessary to birth that little child. Don’t worry, the labor pains are already underway! That’s what you are experiencing.
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I suppose all people visiting Jim’s blog come from a Christian background. As such they will be carrying a lot of “God” concepts and religious baggage. Stuff that they have picked up during that period which makes them unsure what they should discard or what still holds true. Jane says, “I DO think we live in two worlds though (physical and spirit) and maybe that’s where all the confusion comes from?” That’s not quite right Jane – our enemy is not the physical. For instance I meet people who proudly tell me that they haven’t been to church for 10 years. They say, “I’ve given up on those old religious practices!” But do you know what? Whether they are prepared to admit it or not those old God concepts are still there in their minds and secretly ruling over them. Their old religion still has power and they are not truly free to follow the spirit without restrictions. They battle to do it in their minds by formulating practices they should follow. Jane and Jim have listed quite a few. Christians may venture a little way but it’s not long before their old beliefs and fears pull them up short. I have already mentioned this frustration where I see them going around in circles! It’s like a dry alcoholic. Although he may never touch a drink, alcohol still has him under its power. And it’s cruel. The same applies to the Christian “God” thing and I know well Jim’s heart cry is “shedding religion to find God!” He writes books about it and we can all see he loves to encourage others.
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So do you know what we need to do? It’s simple! We swap Gods! Jane goes on by saying, “But, the Truth is so simple and pure and it’s right under our noses! I’m taking baby steps in this new process too, but I KNOW when I’m coming from that Source and it’s sweet indeed.” Right on Jane! That’s the real one and the same one that Jim is connecting with! You experience that one – that love “feeling” is the reality. It’s no longer a static list of taught mental concepts that you were told you must believe – otherwise watch out for the judgment! Our real Father is actually drawing us to him! So why don’t we go? All you Christians out there, what’s holding you up? Yes we do have a problem don’t we? We are just not as free and openhearted and as trusting as what we would wish. The world still has a lot of power over us. There’s a lot of confusing stuff swirling around in our heads. It’s all those “taught mental concepts, and beliefs” that are still active in our minds that are fighting against us, giving us fears and doubts and causing us to not trust our own deep judgments. Don’t worry! Jesus has thought of everything you know! He’s anticipated this and provides the cure for this problem. His name is Elijah! This is especially designed for Christian people like yourselves – you are the chosen ones and you have a very high purpose but until now you have been working for the wrong master!
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Remember JC saying that before he comes (that is before his “presence” can emerge through you) Elijah must first come?
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The disciples asked him, “Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?” Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will RESTORE ALL THINGS. But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished.
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So what is the spirit of “Elijah” that we are finally going to recognize? You Christians should know all about him but it won’t be in the way that you have been taught that story before, because this is all taking place within you. It’s a battle between two minds. Well it’s not really a battle. There are no battles where our Father is concerned – he just wins – without doing anything! Basically what is happening is that the “Elijah” spirit is identifying the true “living” Father (within you). Remember the challenge on Mount Carmel and the two alters (all within you). How Elijah jeered and taunted their God? (all within you). And do you know what he did with those false prophets of Baal? (all within you). He went and cut their “heads” off! That was their problem – their “heads”. Some of you call it the “conceptual – ego-fleshy mind thinking” – flesh and blood – the natural mind.
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You people probably know that Elijah story far better than me and you should be able to read into what it is saying using your “metanoia” translation powers. Forget your old historical understandings. They were just based on fables – fabrications from the natural mind. What is going on inside you right now is the real. It’s got nothing to do with physical actions. You are being summoned to Mount Carmel (within you). Flow along with it, make a choice, then speak out, and you’ll be fine.
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“So Ahab (brother, kindred friend of his father) sent word throughout all Israel (he shall rule as God) and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel (a planted garden or vineyard – full of produce). Elijah (my God is Jehovah) went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal (a master) is God, follow him.”
But the people said nothing.”
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Notice how it’s gone very quiet around here at present? I think Mr. Elijah is turning up!
Brian,
That’s very interesting. I especially resonate with your comment, ‘but above all know, that without a shadow of a doubt, you are being faithfully guided’. I really needed to hear that. Some days when I’m connected to the Source, it’s like drinking the most clear, pure, thirst-quenching water for my spirit. But that doesn’t happen every day. In my own experience with ’shedding religion’, some days it feel more like there’s a bloody battle going on inside me. Other days, I feel like a lone, lost sheep stuck on a craggy ledge waiting for the shepherd to come and get me. I take great comfort in knowing that the Father is actually drawing me to Him, even in the midst of the chaos. I also think that Elijah is turning up.
Well, I just re-read my previous post…after another day has passed. I do know that I’m always connected to the Source…that the Source and I are one. That’s truth. It’s God IN us, but sometimes I forget that and my mind falls prey to all kinds of trickery. Still, it’s wonderful to know that without a shadow of a doubt, we are all being faithfully guided.