No Time for Heaven: Finding Life's Purpose: Finding Life's Purpose

By The Humble Mystic

Heaven is too abstract to effectively compete with the daily demand of life.
We have therefore learned to qualify our integrity by the power, money and fame we accrue. Being a success and fulfilling our purpose are, however, two distinct journeys. One cannot help but affect the other. Hitler for example, was incredibly powerful, but his demeanor was more demonic then angelic. Alternatively, Benjamin Franklin's wealth fulfilled a multitude of philanthropic needs.
Religious influences will frequently dominate the direction of one's purpose in life. Although this is not a religious book, it will examine a variety of insightful spiritual ideas. That knowledge will then facilitate recognition of your purpose in life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Aug 31, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465360205

The Humble Mystic

none (author wants to remain anonymous)

Book preview

NO TIME FOR HEAVEN

FINDING LIFE’S PURPOSE

The Humble Mystic

Copyright © 2011 by The Humble Mystic.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2011915582

ISBN: Hardcover          978-1-4653-6019-9

ISBN: Softcover             978-1-4653-6018-2

ISBN: Ebook                   978-1-4653-6020-5

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This book was printed in the United States of America.

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104583

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For Krystal, my daughter,

who taught me the meaning of love.

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

SECTION I

1    WHAT IS HEAVEN?

2    ENERGY THE SECRET ELIXER

3    NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCES

4    THE ECCENTRICITIES OF LIGHT

5    CHAKRA/AURIC ENERGY

6    WHAT IS PRAYER?

SECTION II

SECLECTED WORKS

7    TIBETAN BOOK OF THE DEAD

8    A COURSE IN MIRACLES

9    MYSTICAL WRITINGS

10  THE GOSPEL OF SAINT THOMAS

11  TWELVE STEP PROGRAMS

SUMMARY

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Everybody thinks of changing humanity, but nobody thinks of changing himself.

Dalai Lama

INTRODUCTION

One early foggy morning, a sailor intercepted the following radio messages.

Ship 1:  Please divert your course 0.5 degrees to the South to avoid a collision.

Reply:  I recommend you divert your course 15 degrees to avoid a collision.

Ship 1:  This is a Captain of the US Navy. I say again, divert your course.

Reply:  I respectfully request again that you divert your course!

Ship 1:  This is a United States Battleship and I order you to divert your course now!

Reply:  Well this is a lighthouse and I still recommend you divert your course.

The intricacies required for a sperm and egg to combine, replicate and generate over a trillion genetically specialized cells is a phenomenal event. The probability of those cells then synthesizing a functional healthy life is statistically beyond our comprehension. That anomaly occurs every passing day though. How is it possible? Well the sun generates the energy and heat necessary for life on Earth. The Earth’s inorganic and organic chemistry provide life’s building blocks. Then evolution steps in to refine the final recipes for life. Man is a miracle, regardless of whether you assign that miracle to a divine being or chance! Of course, the actuality of divine intervention can have a dramatic influence upon one’s purpose in life.

Before we begin to ponder our purpose however, let us first look at another interesting aspect of humanity. At birth, our brains function remarkably like a new computer. Until we start loading data, the areas designated for memory and knowledge remain pure and undefiled. Therefore, any attempt made toward identifying oneself/itself will produce a processing error. All we need to do is load or learn the slightest bit of knowledge however, and we quickly find ourselves acting like the captain of that battleship. Like most teenagers, our egos have us believing that we know everything and that we can handle everything and anything by ourselves.

In spite of our feeble beginnings, we somehow still manage to endure. Our adoring parents lovingly provide us that first bottle of nurturing milk and continue in life as our foremost advocates. If ever self-doubt should arise, a parent’s praise will motivate that child toward achieving their fullest potentials. Consequently, children will also yearn to make their parents proud. When all is going well, life can seem reminiscent of June and Ward Cleaver and their family in the Leave it to Beaver television show. Unfortunately, a child’s infatuation for their parent’s approval can often be misinterpreted and even distorted just as our relationships to a higher power can run a similar course. If we reject a divine presence and role, we can easily end up wandering aimlessly through our lives. If we however diligently work at pleasing our God, it still seems as though obstacles are always impeding our progress. Such uncertainty only makes defining and achieving our ultimate purpose all that more perplexing.

One begins then by first examining the purposeful direction of their life. Right or wrong, all of us are already treading down one path or another. For example, the acquisition of knowledge allows one to excel in their career. The reward for a prosperous career is monetary gain. Money then affords a degree of comfort appropriate to the time and effort expended in producing it. With sufficient quantities of cash and power, there comes an expectation of happiness. So why are we still so unhappy? Well unfortunately, that which we already have will only incite a desire for more. Our ego therefore has us on a hamster wheel from hell and time is quickly running out. Finding one’s true purpose has therefore never been more critical!

While no book can simply hand you all of the answers to life, the material contained here will get you started on a more enlightened path. The term enlightenment is often associated with the more Eastern beliefs. This book touches upon many spiritual ideas, but the format is Gnostic in nature. If knowledge is limited to one particular belief, then faith will ultimately be blind. An idea only gains strength after it has endured the test of time. Consequently, this book tantalizes the reader to question their faith. Only then will you be able to proceed with eyes wide open.

The first portion of this book will draw your attention to critical errors in the way we learn. Each day we assimilate vast quantities of data into our brains. As new information arrives, our brains scan through our experiences for any related knowledge. Using those memories as our knowledge or database, our brain then interprets each new piece of data in a manner that best supports our current belief. Man appears to have developed and prospered quite well over the years utilizing this way of thinking. We have even walked on the moon. That should mean something! Of course, any scientist will tell you a theory is only as good as your initial data. Insufficient or poor information will result in worse conclusions. What would it imply if we had based all our data, our earliest memories beginning in the womb and evolving with each new experience, upon fallacies? With a faulty foundation to our beliefs, all subsequent learning would simply strengthen our illusion of that reality. Our whole direction in life could be determined for all the wrong reasons. Is our purpose simply to find happiness through financial prosperity, or is there some deeper expectation for our time on Earth?

Fortunately, there are methods for deciphering fact from fiction. Compensating for existing erroneous beliefs requires a process much like the rebooting of your computer. This is very distinct from a reformat. We need not want to erase those memories, but simply restart the thinking process. As an example, look at the optical illusion below. How many legs do you see on this elephant?

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Our eyes first view the image. We do not really see with our eyes, however, as that image must first be processed by the brain. The brain accepts that image’s data and performs a databank scan to recall anything that may match or be similar. Based on prior elephant images existing in your memory, your brain will tell you that this elephant has four legs. If one actually analyzes the image, however, they will see that the feet and legs do not line up correctly. Your brain derived that false belief because of prior experiences. To correct these types of errors we need to begin approaching life with an open mind. In this case, actually measuring the lines and not making an assumption would be the open-minded approach. With an open mind, you might be surprised at what may happen. While you may think a pig flying is absurd, what would you think if you were to hear a pig mooing on America’s Funniest Animal Videos? If there were no dubbing effects, you might just accept that this pig could moo. If you seek the unexpected, you will be amazed. There is a saying that seeing is to believing. The wiser truth however, is that believing is actually the true source of seeing.

Through a renewed effort at seeing the world as it truly exists, we can then begin a process of understanding our reality. What is our purpose in life? Is there any form of existence after death? These are indeed very deep topics, which undoubtedly will raise the topic of religion again. Consequently, the latter portion of this book explores a number of highly spiritual beliefs. The Interior Castle by Saint Teresa of Avila, a Carmelite nun, is a literary masterpiece dealing with one’s internal demons. Her insight is mystical however, as her awareness seems to transcend that of ordinary human knowledge. Teresa was a doctor of the Catholic Church, but her ideas will easily conform to a variety of other beliefs. Do not be intimidated by scripture references. Their provision is merely a means of offering authentication through existing beliefs. There is also a discussion on the Gospel of Saint Thomas. Depending upon the translation, this controversial document could render the veracity and purpose behind the church obsolete. You might alternatively find a liking to the theory of life and death cycles the Buddhists refer to as samsara. Ultimately, only you can decide what beliefs or portions thereof, to accept and assimilate into your life. After all, it is only after we have developed a belief that we can begin to postulate upon our purpose.

SECTION I

I don’t want to believe in a God who would deliberately create bad people and then deliberately send them to roast in a hell that he created.

Stephen King      The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon

1

WHAT IS HEAVEN?

Here on Earth, power seems to be the life force. Have you ever noticed how when a newborn baby enters the room the atmosphere changes and all eyes are on that child? That takes power and it is the miraculous wonder of birth that brings it about. That little baby knows it too, and as soon as that attention begins to dwindle, he or she quickly learns what it takes to return that focus. My grandmother summarized it rather well in her favorite statement that the squeaky wheel gets the most grease. If it is not crying, which works quite well, it can just as easily use the repetitive dropping of that spoon or pacifier. The power of manipulating others can feel quite exhilarating!

As we get a little older, we expand beyond the protective confines of our loving family and really begin to notice others. You probably noticed that despite your best ploys, your sibling still got a portion of Mom’s attention. In fact, if you were the older sibling with a new baby in the house, you probably learned the concept of jealousy rather quickly. Your competitive side also blossomed when you began jockeying for friends. What is it that makes one person more popular than another? At times, it may be a new toy, or simply having the best snacks in your lunch. Without a doubt though, it all comes back to some form of power. Do you remember that confrontation you had with the class bully? Well that bully probably realized that their size and brawn itself was their most effective source of power.

Then there came that day Mom or Dad get tired of you asking them to buy everything in the store. Subsequently, the concept of an allowance was born and you began to identify the desirability and potential for money. You have now discovered Earth’s equal to the revered apple from the Garden of Eden. Money becomes all-powerful and the source for all other power forms. One’s occupation, your method of acquisitioning money, becomes a life priority. Lines between loving the family and providing for them even become blurred. We also realize benefits behind being the boss, rather then the employee. To be told what to do all day can get old real fast. We also may revel in how important one title may sound over another. Would you rather tell your friends you are the CEO or simply the secretary? Of course, some people want no part or share in the responsibility of being a boss. Having a boss can therefore be acceptable, as long as that person is not their superior. Our ego demands that our plans, our needs and even ourselves be that which is most important. After all, do we not deserve the greatest reward?

A debate over power issues could easily create its own book. For now though, simply make a precursory evaluation of your life and see how power has influenced your actions. Then we will proceed onward to our topic of heaven by asking what happens when we die? Let us assume for the moment that there is an ultimate being and that this god so loves us that he/she would never sentence us to an eternity in hell. Of course, if you already suspect you may be heading downward, perhaps you should consider finishing this book tonight.

Once upon a time, three men arrived at the gates of heaven. Saint Peter asked each of them to think back upon their lives. He then asked them what they hoped mourners were saying about them. The first man, a doctor, said he hoped that they were saying how he had been a very wise physician and that he had accomplished a lot while he was upon the Earth. The second man, an executive, said he hoped they were saying that he had been a loving father and husband and that he had been a very charitable man. Finally, Saint Peter asked the third man, who had spent his life bouncing from one job after another. This man said he hoped his mourners would be standing beside his coffin saying, Look, he moved!

Assuming then that we are heaven bound, have you ever really considered what heaven will be like? Most religions promise incomprehensible beauty and/or everlasting happiness. Unfortunately, that description is about as useful as they have a nice personality for describing your upcoming blind date. Your whole afterlife is at stake—do you really want to risk that on such an ambiguous promise? You probably do not even want to risk taking that blind date! The Bible does provide for us one explanation in Revelation.

After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this. At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald. Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God, and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal.

And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight. And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say,

Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!

And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created. ¹

If you are like most people, you probably focused your aspirations on Earth pursuing the false gods of sex, money and power. Do you really believe that by passing through some pearly gates that your mindset will change? Finding yourself in the presence of God, you might actually delight in spending your eternity praising him or her. Where will you stand in relation to the Elders though? Will God afford you equal footing or will you be subservient? Life, as portrayed in Revelation, does not sound heavenly.

Similarly, would it be heaven if you lost all your cherished memories? There would be no loving parents to see again, no lost spouse and your children would be gone from you forever. If you should retain your memories, which would make the greatest sense, it only seems appropriate that your mind would continue thinking as it had functioned on Earth. Genesis tells us God created us in his image, so why should we be subservient? Maybe that is why Clarence, George Bailey’s angel in It’s a Wonderful Life, was trying so hard to earn his wings? Getting those wings might advance him in the overall hierarchy.

Let us step up a bit further and accept that there is a god in heaven and that we willingly praise him or her. Try then to picture an ideal setting for your heaven. I have a friend who would love to spend eternity sunning on a warm beach. She would of course have a body to die for (pardon the pun). For her though, everyday would need to be a sunny day. That prerequisite would however conflict with a gardening friend, who would want some rainy days to water her plants. Would compromise be acceptable to your vision of heaven? Maybe we would all have our own heavenly reality. For that to happen it would require our loved ones, who we look forward to being in our heaven, to share our idea of the perfect reality. If one person loves country music, another should not have to listen to that genre for an eternity. For the widow who remarries, is it reasonable to expect both spouses will get along with each other in heaven? Maybe if they both arrive first and get to know each other, but that could still make for a rather awkward arrival. Envisioning heaven is simply beyond our mental capabilities. Why does not God provide us with an image? He leaves us hoping that heaven truly does exist and that it will be our reward. The answer to that probably lies in the same explanation as to why he does not simply show himself to us today. God wants us to believe, rather than submitting out of a required allegiance. One can only achieve true reverence through blind faith and belief. If God gave us a glimpse of heaven, that image would undoubtedly influence what we value and do here on Earth. For example, if power and material things became insignificant in heaven, does that mean we should be learning to live without them now? The Christian faith does promote poverty as a cherished virtue. Of course, some faiths have curiously translated that to imply you should give your riches to the church rather than being charitable to your neighbor. I guess flaws can creep into any belief structure given enough time. The point is that God wants us to live by his commandments not out of anticipation of a final reward, but simply out of our faith in him.

Have you ever witnessed the very moment of someone’s death? Such an experience can actually leave you feeling a little underwhelmed. There is no musical accompaniment, no last-minute revelations, and time just keeps ticking on as if nothing at all had happened! Oh but we think surely the Earth will shift on its axis when I die. The life giving energy God breathed in through our nostrils now departs the body by way of the spirit. Once the respirations and heart stop functioning, all that remains is a rudimentary carbon-based shell. A life, one’s physical existence has ended, but the status quo continues unaware.

At death, we continue to exist by nature of our spiritual energy. Classical laws of physics state that we can neither create nor destroy energy. Technically, the body still exhibits a form of energy deep down at the molecular level. Such energy exists within the molecules and atoms of all matter though. The divine energy that gave us life, that which constituted the soul, is the only aspect of self that leaves the body upon death. An age-old tradition once required an open window in the room of the dying so that their spirit could escape. What if in heaven our existence is that of a self-aware energy form? I hope that we would not be like those old science fiction movies where some evil doctor finds a way to keep severed heads alive. Taking into account your frantic pace on Earth, can you see yourself content with simply existing? Most people cannot fathom living a single day without their television, radio, or now their iPod. The majority of us cannot wait until we reach the age and financial capability that will allow us to retire. Yet once that happens, most people find an emptiness in their lives that becomes unbearable. If we cannot handle time now, what are we going to do with an eternity? That question gives understanding to why most religious/spiritual philosophies promote meditation as a means for calming one’s mind. Could the tranquil meditative state be a glimpse into our heavenly reality?

1. Revelation, 4:1 ESV.

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What is moral is not of the divine, but rather a purely human matter, albeit the most important of all human matters.

Albert Einstein        This I Believe

2

ENERGY THE SECRET ELIXER

In the biblical Genesis, the first book of Moses, God created light. He then divided that light from darkness in separating day from night. The Bible is now the best selling book in the world, which is understandable because the stories are quite fascinating. Interestingly, it is also the book most stolen from bookstores. The first five books of Moses are reportedly the exact words of God as given to Moses. Just reading that dialogue is inspirational, but with closer examination, we find that it also has some ambiguity. Remember that Jesus also spoke in paradoxes. In Genesis for example, how could there have been light at day one if God did not create the sun, the stars and the moon until day four? There are some theories, but we are first going to have to learn a little bit about science.

To understand energy, you pretty much have to be a geek. Even then, the concept of energy is analogous to our understanding of the brain. We know the brain is paramount to knowledge, but the actual mechanisms for learning are beyond even today’s science. Fortunately, for this discussion, one only has to have a basic understanding of energy. Consequently, this should be a relatively short chapter and assuredly well worth your effort.

Energy fundamentals begin with a little chemistry and an analysis of matter.

Fact 1: Subatomic particles are the fundamental components of matter. Everything in the universe, except energy, is made of matter. Therefore, everything in existence is comprised of atomic particles and energy.

Fact 2: The subatomic particles referred to as protons, electrons and neutrons collectively make up an atom. Protons and neutrons comprise the nucleus or center of the atom. Neutrons do not have an electrical charge. Protons all have a positive energy charge, which renders the nucleus with an overall positive charge. The positive energy charge of the nucleus then attracts the negatively charged electrons. The electrons end up orbiting around the nucleus in highly ordered rings of energy. Because of those electrical charges, the atom is actually becomes a form of energy.

Fact 3: Energy is not matter, but is the very essence of matter. Fundamentally then, everything exists as energy.

Fact 4: We can neither destroy nor create energy, but energy can change forms. Wood is a carbon-based form of energy. As we burn wood, we alter its atomic structure, which releases that energy in the form of heat. The wood and the temperature both change, but the quantity of energy remains the same.

We will need those facts soon, but for now, we are going to diverge in a slightly different direction. John von Neumann (1903-1957) was a mathematician who among other accomplishments is renowned for his thermonuclear reaction work on the Manhattan Project. His theories in quantum physics argue that a flaw exists in classical physics by its inherent failure to take into consideration the effect the mind might have on matter and nature. Classical physics defines nature by its ability to correlate proven