The One Thing

2000-8-2 11:34:00

Good to have you back posting again Samu.

Thanks to John W and Xavier for the book recommendation. I wasn't aware that this information was published anywhere. I want to clear up one point about the Eucharist. Some seem to think that I see no value in it or discount the possibility of communion with the Spirit of Christ from this sacrament. Such is not the case. I do believe that through ceremonial orders such as this, that communion through the Holy Spirit is indeed enhanced and becomes real. In fact we participated in this at the gathering.

What I discount is that the bread and wine are turned into the actual body and blood of the entity Jesus. For one thing, if you take all the bread being consumed at communion on any given Sunday you would have to have a total amount of several tons. This would mean that the body of Jesus would be larger than a whale.

And who has power to give you the Eucharist? Does it have to come from a Catholic Priest or a Mormon who both claim authority from the apostles? Are all the protestants rejected in their communion with God?

The Question:
What is the key revealed here that aids in the discovery of truth and how does the principle of attention and the point of tension come into play?

Marylin tells us to use determination and Brian says that persistence is the key and adds:

"When you persist in anything (an argument, a quest, etc.) there is tension. The longer you persist, the more the tension increases..."

Good point Brian.

Susan wisely adds that we need to ask the right questions. Then John K keenly observes that the woman in the parable asked out of need, implying that this sense of urgency gave her more persistence and a stronger point of tension. Then he adds:

"When we throw an unanswered question out into space, a kind of imbalance is created. A question without an answer. When we do this once, we create a tiny little vacuum effect in space. When this vacuum is "felt", an answer will always come in to fill the void created by the question."

Good observation. I like it when the group touches on principles rather than data.

It does seem to be a law that all things of value come to us after a period of intense struggle and this would include knowledge.

There are questions I have had that I have struggled with for as long as thirty years and then one day the answer just came in a flash. Sometimes it is so simple that I feel like slapping myself for not thinking of it sooner. From experience I can tell you that you reap great dividends by not giving up on the search for answers. If you do not give up the answers will come sooner or later.

Question:

Which of the following is the most significant characteristic of one who is approaching discipleship and why?

(1) He loves everyone
(2) He has studied under a great teacher
(3) He has read all the best books and is well educated.
(4) He lives a good life.
(5) He asks questions
(6) He seeks to escape dualities.
(7) He believes the scriptures.
(8) He wants to be a teacher
(9) He reads the National Enquirer.