Chapter II

 

Definition

 

I see the Universe as a giant organism in which we each share in its vitality, its energy, its past, present and future.

 

Let us begin with the definition of Rational Universalism. This is an important step because its root brings forth images of existing church doctrines such as Unitarian, Unity, Christ Unity, etc. As in all discussions of faith, there will be some overlapping for reasons that should be obvious as we develop this theory.

The concept of the Universe, as we know it, is far beyond our logical mind. Concepts of time, space, and distances are truly for the astro-physician, quantum theory, and clergy. The Universe represents the ultimate unknown. There have been many theories proposed including parallel realities, etc. I will make no attempt to enter this debate as the answer lies in faith and what we can experience with our five senses, assistive technology such as telescopes, etc., and mathematics.

The Rational Universalism I propose relates to our place in the Universe as opposed to the Universe itself. Rational Universalism invites the acceptance that we are all part of, and connected to, the Universe. I see the Universe as a giant organism in which we each share in its vitality, its energy, its past, present and future. Not only do we share it with the Macro Universe, but with every organic and inorganic object and asset within the universe.

Oneness is not a new concept. Almost every religion we can name has an element of oneness. In Zen they talk about being one with a given object or condition or circumstance. In the Judeo Christian beliefs, they talk of oneness with God. In the Moslem system, it is oneness with Allah. Jung called it the collective consciousness; Plato, world soul.

What is important here, is to recognize that it makes no difference what we call it; it is all oneness with the Universe. We are truly, organically, atomically and energetically one with the Universe. We are the Universe. We simply manufacture separateness to define our egos and to create an identity for perceived survival. We do this because of the vastness of the universe. It is too much for us to take the responsibility for the Universe and to conceive that we are vessels for all that is, was and will be. In order to maintain our own sanity, we create this definition of our institutions and ourselves. We focus on the small picture, because the big picture is too big, too insecure, too fearful, and………uncontrollable. Make no mistake, we are one, even though we choose to tune out our energetic receptors.

It is in the pursuit of reconnecting with the energy of the Universe that we begin our search for that which has been identified as inspiration, godliness, connection, spiritual identification, out of body, inner peace, Nirvana, enlightenment, Chi. I believe we are initially born with it but, in the name of survival, we lose contact with it.

If we can accept that all institutions and religious beliefs begin with the reconnection, the coming, then it is only a small step to accepting that all paths lead to Nirvana, to truth. If we can put aside our need for ego and definition through our own religious practices and understand that all beliefs, practices, and religions are one, then defense and missionary zeal are unnecessary. If we accept that we are all brothers and sisters, uncles and aunts, that we may not live in the same house, but we are all in the same neighbor-hood, working for the same good in the long run, in search of the same inner peace and happiness, in our own way; we do not have to create the energetic separation for our own identification.

We can then begin to recognize the difference between real faith and belief and manipulation for power and control. We should then be able to agree that it is not important how someone else worships or seeks connection to the mystical powers, but instead be concerned only with our own personal connection to the God Force/Life Force. It is so easy for us to slip into primitive competition scripts and project them onto our religious affiliations and, in turn, gain some kind of ego gratification about being bigger, better, more righteous, more correct, or being and knowing “the way”. We can put the missionary testosterone away; it need not apply.