Greetings!
CANUTE:
QUOTING YOU: ………”Pantheism says that God is everything, whereas panentheism says that everything is in God. When you unpick the logic of these views they're actually very different.”
Yes.
Actually, I am not much into labels, and use them only to try to reach some level of commonality, and to make or understand a point, as I am supposing you do as well. As for those you mention, one is old, -very very old-, and the other is relatively new. Whereas I respect the desire to bring us all together, I happen to believe this will be accomplished a brick at a time, so to speak. I appreciate the thought, and your thoughtfulness, so let me try this another way, so bear with me, okay?
We settled in Alma, which is, as I recall, about fifty miles from Van Buren when I was twelve. Even though we had come from Oregon, I was fascinated with so much of this state's own natural beauty. From the colorful centipedes, to the many, many rocks, the variety of fish, bugs, snakes, and the night howlings of the wild animals. It was all so strange and such a marvel to me.
Early in the mornings, I would leave with the dog and explore for miles, then be home just in time for supper. Whenever they had time to hear, I would share the wonders of the day with my parents. On the days I did not go, I would simply ponder and daydream. It seemed I enjoyed everything. As I chopped wood, releasing the wonderful smells, or carried water from the natural spring that was all but hidden down the hill behind our house, I felt so much a part of it all.
There were other reasons--having nothing to do with the state-- that kept me close to nature during those months we were there. My stepfather had a marvelous garden, with almost anything one could want. Various kinds of mellons, and several kinds of lima beans, corn so high that even "Oklahoma" would have to take notice, and all the other things one finds in a garden so complete and healthy, met our eyes as we ascended the hill to the back of our house. There was a "pour-off" filled with fish, from creeks on either side. It was a big, round hole, deep and full of wonders.
We had White Rock chickens, with short glistening while feathers, hogs that squealed with delight when they saw one of us coming with the slop bucket. No food was wasted. It was one of the most marvelous times in my life, and one of the worst, with the worst also caused mostly by nature.
For sure, we cannot pick and choose, or I would have passed up the terrible draught that came, the awful fire that took a good portion of our roof and attic, the rains that ensued, bringing ugly muddy water and floods that were almost unimmaginable, cutting us off entirely for a time. The horrible illness of my mother that we thought would surely take her from us, seems to go on forever, before she was to have any relief.
My point here is ............that none of that god-awful experience could ever take away from, or even put a dent in, the joy of those quiet times, the wonders, or the glory of God's creation that I had experienced to my very soul in those quiet times that Frisky accompanied me in my peaceful journeys.
And the message is: I believe with all my heart that when we see the beauty of God's grace, while exploring all that he has given us, we will have claimed the power and will recognize the source, and then! when bad times come, though they be devastating, they cannot take away the good that we know is ours, and we can survive with our joy and peace intact.
I believe that we must read and search, think and divide, purge and ponder, until we are drenched with the joy that comes with enlightenment and the developments of our intuition, (on-the-spot, discernment). Once there, we feel no need to chase after miracles, and spend no time looking for signs.
We will see the signs in nature, and catch our breath, we will see them in what we so carelessly call coincidences, and we will stop to ponder, but we will not need them to keep us, because we will feel safe with the wonder of things bigger than us, we will be comfortable with that which pulls us together, that which quickens our hearts and minds, and we shall understand the folly of thinking that we are islands.
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HERE, I QUOTE YOU......“Although he talks about 'God' and about pantheism etc., in his understanding of God 'It' is, ultimately, an entity devoid of all attributes and without any will or purpose.”
You know, Canute, I could give you so many quotes from Spinoza’s Ethics, (finished only 3 years before his death), that would seem to contradict your statement (above). But, you do not want that.
Aside from that, my rather minor issues with Buddhism are not that important either. So, we have a bit of a disagreement about those two things. Whereas, I do not mind telling you what I think, I care not to over do it. I will try to answer any questions, as you have also been willing to do, but I shall not assume that you want more of my point of view than you say.
Go for whatever there is in Buddhism for you, with my blessing. Not that you need it, but I do not like it much when someone denounces Christ, or even Spinoza, Apostle Paul, or anyone that I love. In fact I do not care much for far-sweeping generalizations.
It is always good to hear from you. Do share your thoughts and discoveries anytime you wish. Agreeing is not necessary. Respect is, and you have that. That which comes with “listening” can be so fulfilling as we open our minds to ideas that transform us into more insightful and peaceful human beings. PMT
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